Steel Testifies at Senate Judiciary Committee on Rise in Hate Crimes
Highlighted rise in hate crimes against the AAPI community and her ongoing work to combat violence
(March 8, 2022) Washington, D.C. – Today Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) testified at the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing, “Combating the Rise in Hate Crimes,” where she discussed the rise in crime against the American Asian Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. She joined Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) on the committee’s member panel. Hate crimes against the AAPI community have risen 339% in the last year.
“Not only because my own constituents have been the subject of anti-Asian hate, but also because I myself have been called racist slurs and treated differently because I am Asian American,” Rep. Steel said. “As a proud American, and someone who loves this country dearly, I take this rise in hate crimes very seriously, and I am pleased to join you today as a part of our joint efforts to tackle this issue.”
You can read Rep. Steel’s remarks as prepared here, and watch her testimony here:
Rep. Steel has taken a leading role in addressing anti-AAPI hate and supporting the AAPI community in Congress. This includes:
- Introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning Anti-Asian hate crimes.
- Launched an AAPI Advisory Board, which has met multiple times to discuss these issues.
- Voted in support of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which establishes a Department of Justice position focused specifically on anti-Asian hate crimes and provides resources to enhance reporting of these crimes.
- Testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Asian American discrimination and violence.
- Spoke at an Anti-Asian Hate rally at Leisure World in Seal Beach.