MENG INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FIGHTING HATE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, Top Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, introduced the Community-Based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate Crimes Act, which would authorize grant funding through the Department of Justice (DOJ) to support community organizations working to prevent and respond to hate crimes.

The Community-Based Approaches program, created by Rep. Meng in the 2022 federal funding bill, helps local organizations increase hate crime reporting, provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and strengthen relationships between communities and law enforcement. It has been funded nearly every year since 2022.

This new legislation would officially authorize the program and give the Department of Justice clear guidance on how to run it. It would also remove the current $100,000 annual grant cap under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program, allowing for greater support for law enforcement and prosecutors handling hate crime cases.

"I first created this program in 2022, in response to the escalation of hate crimes against people of Asian descent during the COVID-19 pandemic. I heard from my constituents and many others across the United States about how difficult it was for them to report hate crimes because of language barriers and mistrust of law enforcement. This program has empowered the frontline organizations that know our neighborhoods, have the trust of community members, and are able to bridge gaps between victims and law enforcement," said Rep. Meng. "Right now, when hate crimes are at a record-high in the United States, the federal government and DOJ should be using every tool at its disposal not only to prosecute these crimes, but also to directly engage with targeted communities that have been torn apart by the worst acts of hate. Instead, the Trump Administration is politicizing these investigations, trying to eliminate grant programs, and ultimately leaving communities less safe. My legislation would write into law the federal authorization for the Community-Based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate Crimes program. This is more than a federal grant program to address hate crimes - it is an investment in a stronger, safer future for all of us."

"Community-based solutions are essential to preventing and addressing hate crimes effectively," said Sim J. Singh Attariwala, Director of Anti-Hate, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. "This legislation restores critical investments that the Department of Justice should have continued: supporting trusted local organizations who are best equipped to assist impacted communities, strengthening reporting, and building long-term resilience. At a time when fear and harmful rhetoric are driving underreporting of hate crimes, this bill ensures accountability so DOJ delivers the grant programs Congress has already funded."

"Following the surge of anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, this program represented a significant first step towards protecting AAPI communities. But five years later, public safety funding for our communities has dwindled," said Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate. "Our research shows that AAPIs are experiencing new waves of hate today, fueled by the Trump administration's anti-immigrant, racist agenda. We can't wait to take action. Anti-AAPI hate remains alarmingly widespread, and we applaud Representative Meng for taking steps to restore funding that would help ensure all of us can feel safe in the communities we call home."

"Antisemitic incidents, including violence against Jews, are at near-record levels in recent years, posing an ongoing threat to Jewish communities, said Carol Ann Schwartz, National President of Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America. "Hadassah is proud to support the Community-Based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate Crimes Act, critical legislation that strengthens partnerships between community-based organizations and law enforcement to prevent and respond to hate crimes. We thank Representative Meng for her leadership and urge Congress to act swiftly to help make communities across the country safer."

"At a moment of rising, increasingly-violent hate - against the Jewish community and so many others - we need to be investing in the tools that actually help keep us safe. The Community-Based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate Crimes and similar grants and programs at the DOJ are vital for helping law enforcement respond to hate crimes, but they have been underfunded or cut completely by this Administration. Ensuring these programs are funded, as they have been for years, is crucial to building resilience to hate and protecting our communities and our democracy," said Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. "I am grateful to Rep. Meng for her leadership in supporting these programs and ensuring they are funded and empowered to protect us all."

"The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds Rep. Grace Meng for her leadership in advancing the Community-Based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate Crimes Act," said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. "The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander population knows first-hand how hate crimes inflict lasting harm on victims and entire communities. Combatting them requires a comprehensive approach, which includes enforcement and meaningful investments in prevention. By supporting community-based organizations, victim services, language access, public education, and violence prevention strategies, this legislation captures the all-of-the-above effort that is needed to eliminate hate in our communities. NAPABA is proud to support this bill."

"NCAPA applauds Congresswoman Meng for introducing the Community-Based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate Crimes Act," said Gregg Orton, National Director, NCAPA. "Our AANHPI communities continue to experience widespread hate and discrimination. Congresswoman Meng's leadership to restart funding that should never have ended will have a tangible effect on the lives of AANHPIs in America."

"Hate-fueled violence continues to shatter communities around the country," said Darcy Hirsh, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy for National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). "Almost every day, we see another tragic report of an attack on a community at prayer, at school, or at work. Communities targeted by hate deserve to be safe. This legislation will provide necessary funding to educate about hate, support victims, build bridges, and prioritize restorative justice. National Council of Jewish Women believes that together, we can build a better future where all communities can gather, pray, and live in safety and in joy. We are grateful to Congresswoman Meng for her leadership in helping to build that future and we look forward to working together to enact this important legislation."

"According to the FBI, the Jewish Community is the target of over 18% of hate crimes despite being just 2% of the US population," said Nathan Diament, Executive Director, Orthodox Union Advocacy Center. 69% of religiously motivated hate crimes target our community. As a heavily targeted community, we are proud to support Congresswoman Meng's work to prevent hate crimes and support the victims of these horrific acts. The OU thanks the Congresswoman for her leadership on this issue and for her support of our community."

Meng has long been a champion in the fight against hate crimes. Five years ago this month, her COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act was signed into law by President Biden. This bill created a position at the Department of Justice to facilitate expedited review of COVID-19 hate crimes, encourage more reporting of incidents in multiple languages, and help make different communities feel more empowered to come forward and report these incidents. It also directed federal agencies to work with community-based organizations to raise awareness of hate crimes during the pandemic.

Meng serves as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the Department of Justice.

A copy can be viewed here.