WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement on the Senate passing legislation today to help address the rise in violence targeted at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs):

“Our diversity is one of America’s greatest strengths. The rise in bigotry toward Asian Americans is unacceptable and antithetical to our nation’s founding principles. The bill we passed today will improve coordination between local and federal law enforcement and help them address targeted attacks more quickly and effectively.”

The bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to designate an employee to help review crimes against AAPIs reported to law enforcement and provides local agencies guidance on how to establish online reporting for those incidents. The Senate worked in a bipartisan fashion to amend the bill and pass it with overwhelming support.

Senator Cramer spoke to reporters earlier this month about the increase in violence toward against Asian Americans. Watch here