Krishnamoorthi, Gillibrand, Meng, and Velázquez Reintroduce Bicameral Hate Crimes Commission Act

WASHINGTON - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today reintroduced the Hate Crimes Commission Act alongside U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and House co-leads Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), bicameral legislation to strengthen the nation's response to hate crimes, improve hate crime reporting, and identify strategies to prevent bias-motivated violence. The legislation would establish a bipartisan United States Commission on Hate Crimes to examine the factors driving hate crimes, barriers to accurate reporting, and evidence-based approaches to prevention, while directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to audit federal hate crime data collection systems.

"No one should have to live in fear because of who they are, how they worship, whom they love, or where they come from," said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. "As hate-fueled violence and intimidation continue to threaten communities across our country, we need stronger tools to understand what is driving these attacks, improve reporting, and identify strategies that can help prevent future violence. The Hate Crimes Commission Act will help strengthen our response to hate crimes and better protect communities from acts of hate."

"Our country was founded on the core principles of liberty, justice, and equality. Every American has the right to live freely and safely, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or religion," said Senator Gillibrand. "The alarming rise in hate crimes over the last few years demands a comprehensive federal response - and that starts with the establishment of a commission to investigate hate crimes. This legislation would help protect communities and gather the data we need to prevent future violence, and I am determined to get it passed."

According to the FBI, more than 11,000 single-bias hate crime incidents involving nearly 14,000 victims were reported in 2024, targeting Americans on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and other protected characteristics. Hate crimes inflict lasting harm not only on individual victims, but on entire communities, undermining public safety and eroding confidence that people can live free from fear and intimidation.

The Hate Crimes Commission Act would establish a bipartisan commission composed of members appointed by congressional leadership and the Attorney General to investigate factors contributing to hate crimes - including the role of social media and technology - assess barriers to complete reporting by local law enforcement agencies, and identify successful prevention and response strategies through partnerships with nonprofits, educators, and government entities. The commission would submit recommendations to Congress and the President to strengthen hate crime prevention efforts and improve participation in the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System. The legislation would also require a GAO audit of federal hate crime data collection practices to improve the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of national hate crime reporting.

The text of the bill is available here.