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Rep. Grace Meng
By Forum Staff
U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today applauded millions in funding to continue their efforts to combat hate crimes.
The money has been included in the Justice Department’s budget which is awaiting floor action in the House and Senate. The bill, approved by the House Appropriations Committee, provides $30 million for the Justice Department’s Community-Based Approaches to Advancing Justice Grant Program, an initiative created last year that expanded on provisions in the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act which Meng and Hirono passed into law in May of 2021. These funds follow the $5 million grant that the two lawmakers secured in last year’s spending package.
“More than two years into the COVID-19 crisis, Asian Americans continue to live in fear of hate crimes and incidents due to being scapegoated for the pandemic,” said Congresswoman Meng. “That is why it is important to invest in the Justice Department’s programs to ensure we are taking a holistic approach to addressing the problem. While we finalize the government spending bills for the coming fiscal year, it is critical that our communities not lose out on vital federal funds that will help local organizations support victims and address discrimination and violence. I thank Senator Hirono for her partnership and – due to her leadership – I am grateful to see the Senate bill include – for the first time – grant money to help community organizations combat hate crimes. I look forward to working alongside Senator Hirono to protect this investment in our communities.”
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Sen. Mazie Hirono
“I introduced the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act with Congresswoman Meng to combat the disturbing rise in hate crimes Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have faced since the onset of the COVID pandemic,” said Senator Hirono. “This legislation has been critical to our work to prevent hate-based crimes and empower our communities, but it is clear that more must be done. This funding will help the Justice Department and the organizations on the front lines in our communities do more to prevent hate-based crimes and attacks, and hold those who commit these acts of hate accountable. I’m grateful for Congresswoman Meng’s partnership in this effort, and will work to ensure this funding remains in the final funding bill considered by the Senate later this year.”
Community-based organizations have been leaders throughout the pandemic, supporting victims and their families in combating and recovering from the rise in hate crimes and incidents. The fiscal year 2022 omnibus created the Community-Based Approaches to Advancing Justice at the Justice Department, which received $5 million in funding. The grant is being administered by the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance which was established to reduce violent crime and create safer communities.
