Democrats say there is a bipartisan effort underway to amend their party’s anti-hate crime legislation in the Senate. This suggests that the GOP may fall back from its first filibuster event of Joe Biden’s presidency.
The bill, a modest piece of legislation by Senate Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) aimed at addressing an increase in hate incidents against Asian Americans during the pandemic, came to a head in the Senate as the Republicans are considering drafting a formal filibuster. Before the possible vote on Wednesday on whether to start a debate, some in the IDP argue that the bill is unnecessary and could reach a possible government arrangement.
But Republicans have not yet decided as a party to block the bill, which would cause the debate in Biden’s party over whether to try to weaken or kill the legislative filibuster. And if the GOP agrees to start the debate on the hate crimes bill, both parties will discuss an amendment that would attach separate, dual legislation on the matter, according to a senior Democratic assistant.