Meng Commends Biden for New Actions to Address Rise in Anti-Asian Hate and Violence

QUEENS, NY – Today, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, commended President Biden for announcing new actions to help combat the increase in anti-Asian hate and violence.

These initiatives include reestablishing the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, providing $49.5 million to help Asian American survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, creating a COVID-19 Equity Task Force Subcommittee on Structural Drivers of Health Inequity and Xenophobia, establishing a Department of Justice cross-agency initiative to address anti-Asian violence, launching new federally-funded resources to explore and celebrate the history and contributions of Asian Americans, and funding critical research to prevent and address bias and xenophobia against Asian Americans.

"I commend President Biden and Vice President Harris for announcing more steps to address the disgusting and unconscionable acts of anti-Asian hate and violence," said Congresswoman Meng. "For over a year, the Asian American community has been screaming out for help, especially in light of the tragic mass shooting in the Atlanta-area. The steps outlined by the Biden-Harris Administration will help with our ongoing fight to combat this bigotry and violence. I also thank the President for calling for a vote on the COVID-19 hate crimes Act that I and Senator Hirono introduced. I look forward to working with President Biden to stop this assault on the Asian American community and keep Asian Americans safe."

President Biden recently issued a statement announcing his support for Congresswoman Meng's COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, and he called on Congress to pass it. The President also signed a presidential memorandum within his first full week in office to address the xenophobia and violence against Asian Americans that included several pieces of legislation Congresswoman Meng sponsored.