The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act would define a ‘COVID-19 hate crime’ as any crime directed at a person because of their actual or perceived race, and because of the perceived spread of COVID-19 by that person because of their race.
Tuberville voted against consideration of the bill along with Republican Sens. Tom Cotton, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Roger Marshall and Rand Paul. Alabama’s other U.S. Senator, Republican Richard Shelby, voted to consider the bill, along with 91 other senators.
In a statement to AL.com last week, a Tuberville spokesman said the senator voted against advancing the bill because he was concerned that it “bypasses the committee process and emphasizes creating a political narrative rather than careful consideration of real issues facing our country.
“In fact, the bill doesn’t create any new criminal provisions, since current law provides tools to prosecute all forms of hate crimes,” the spokesperson continued. “Most disturbing, the bill would facilitate creation of a database where anyone could report a citizen for hate ‘incidents’ with no fear of punishment if they do so out of spite. Republicans have offered numerous amendments to the bill, so hopefully Democrats will allow a legitimate floor debate and amendment process.”
The AAPI caucus called on Tuberville to apologize “immediately” for his vote.
“Tens of thousands of Asian Americans call Alabama home… We have the right to feel safe and protected. No Alabamians should be targeted based on their ethnicity,” the release read. “If [Tuberville] cannot understand the importance of curbing hate crimes, he should resign and allow someone else to do the job.”
The Senate now will debate the bill, but it’s unclear whether it will earn the votes needed to pass.
