Republicans Back Down from Showdown Over Hate Crimes

[DonViejo]

April 14, 2021 at 6:50 am EDT By Taegan Goddard

“The U.S. Senate will take up hate crime legislation on Wednesday intended to combat violence against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a potential first major test this Congress of the Senate procedural tool known as the filibuster,” Reuters reports.

However, it appears that Republicans will vote to advance the bill today — possibly seeking some tweaks before passage.

Playbook: “Historically, Republicans generally haven’t supported hate crimes legislation. So what changed? Public pressure after the recent surge of violence against Asian Americans? More likely: Knowing that a showdown over the filibuster is likely looming, Republicans are loath to hand Democrats ammunition by blocking a bill that’s tough to oppose on its face. Better to hold off for a bill they really want to stop.”

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https://politicalwire.com/2021/04/14/republicans-back-down-from-showdown-over-hate-crimes/

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APRIL 14, 20216:21 AM UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

U.S. Senate to consider hate crimes bill in potential filibuster test

By Makini Brice, David Morgan

3 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate will take up hate crime legislation on Wednesday intended to combat violence against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a potential first major test this Congress of the Senate procedural tool known as the filibuster.

The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, led by Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Grace Meng, also raises the question as to whether the two parties that evenly divide the Senate can agree on any legislative initiative in a time of intense partisanship.

The bill, which comes after a spate of high-profile attacks on Asian Americans, designates a Justice Department employee to expedite a review of hate crimes reported to police during the COVID-19 pandemic. It would also provide guidance for state and local law enforcement agencies to report hate crimes, expand public education campaigns and issue guidance to combat discriminatory language in describing the pandemic.

Reports of violence and discrimination against Asian Americans have surged during the pandemic, after former President Donald Trump started calling the coronavirus the “China virus.”

more
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-hate-crimes/u-s-senate-to-consider-hate-crimes-bill-in-potential-filibuster-test-idUSKBN2C1190

[gratuitous]

1. Facing the daunting challenge of a very popular bill

Coupled with the threat of changing Senate rules that would render them powerless, Senate Republicans agonizingly, painstakingly, inch toward actually doing the right thing by the American people. So courageous.

[lindysalsagal]

2. The founders would be proud. This is not sarcasm. They would be.

Both on the issue: racial discrimination, and on how the voters moved the balance of power in their own favor.

[Midnight Writer]

3. FDR tamed an obstructive Supreme Court by threatening to expand and "pack" the seats.

When faced with the possibility of having their power permanently diluted, the obstructionist judges became more "reasonable", even though the trigger was never pulled.

I believe Biden is playing the same card with the obstructionists in the Senate, flirting with filibuster reform and making a public issue of it.

It may make some Republicans think twice about drawing too many unreasonable lines in the sand.

It pays to have a President who knows history and knows how the Senate works.