Grassley to vote to move Asian American hate crime bill for Senate floor debate

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Wednesday he intended to vote to push forward consideration of a bill confronting the rise of potential hate crimes against Asian Americans.

Grassley stopped short of committing to voting “yes” on the final bill, as it hasn't gone through the amendment process.

The bill comes after a spate of high-profile attacks on Asian Americans. 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" and used other racially charged language to describe the virus.

Senators on Wednesday were to take a procedural vote on whether to debate on the overall bill. Under the chamber’s filibuster rule, at least 60 senators must consent to take that step — which would require bipartisan support.

Grassley said he is hopeful the bill will move past the initial step. But Senate Republicans want an arrangement that would allow them to offer amendments.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he was open to considering changes to the bill.

"I hope a large number of my Republican colleagues vote with me," Grassley told reporters during a weekly conference call. "I'm hoping that right now Schumer and (Senate Minority Leader Mitch) McConnell are negotiating some sort of desire to have this bill be amended and work regular order."

Reynolds’ decision on migrant children defended

Grassley, who visited the U.S.-Mexico border to weeks ago, defended Gov. Kim Reynolds' rejection of a federal request to accept migrant children into the state, saying noting the state already struggles to place Iowa children into foster homes.

“Iowa has an estimated 1,000 kids awaiting adoption without taking on migrant children,” Grassley said. “So I think Gov. Reynolds is putting the people of Iowa first.”

Grassley called the influx of migrants into the United States a humanitarian, public health, national security and law enforcement crisis, and that the “Biden administration needs to secure the border as soon as possible.”