By the Associated Press and KFDI News:
Republican Roger Marshall of Kansas is among a handful of conservative U.S. senators who opposed moving forward with a Democratic-sponsored measure for confronting hate crimes against Asian Americans.
Marshall’s office said Thursday that an existing federal hate crimes law already prohibits intentionally injuring or trying to injure others based on their race, color, religion or national origin.
The Senate voted 92-6 on Wednesday to have a debate on the proposed COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran voted in favor of the debate.
Republican Senator Josh Hawley, of Missouri, also voted against moving ahead with the debate. Hawley’s office did not immediately respond to an email and phone message seeking comment.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Tom Cotton of Arkansas were the other no votes.
