House Passes Bill To Make Lynching A Federal Hate Crime

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill by a vote of 422-3 Monday night making lynching a federal hate crime.

While the bill passed with broad bipartisan support, three Republicans – Reps. Andrew Clyde (Ga.), Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Chip Roy (Texas) – voted against it.

Congressman Bobby Rush introduced the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, named after the Chicago teenager who was murdered in Mississippi.

“Today is a day of enormous consequence for our nation,” said Rep. Rush. “By passing my Emmett Till Antilynching Act, the House has sent a resounding message that our nation is finally reckoning with one of the darkest and most horrific periods of our history, and that we are morally and legally committed to changing course.

“The failure of Congress to codify federal antilynching legislation — despite more than 200 attempts since 1900 — meant that 99 percent of lynching perpetrators walked free. Today, we take a meaningful step toward correcting this historical injustice. I am immensely proud of this legislation, which will ensure that the full force of the U.S. federal government will always be brought to bear against those who commit monstrous acts of hatred.

The anti-lynching act came close to becoming law two years ago. It Passed the House, but was blocked in the Senate. This time, the legislation applies to a broader range of circumstances.

The bill would designate lynching as a hate crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

“Our nation endured a shameful period during which thousands of African Americans were lynched as a means of racial subordination and enforcing white supremacy. These violent incidents were largely tolerated by state and federal officials, and they represent a stain on our nation’s legacy,” said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.).

“Today, we acknowledge this disgraceful chapter in American history, and we send a clear message that such violent actions – motivated by hatred and bigotry – will not be tolerated in this country,” Nadler said.

Now that the bill has passed the House, it’s expected there will be a unified show of support from senators, including Rand Paul from Kentucky, who opposed the original measure two years ago for being too broad.

“I’m pleased to have worked with Senators Cory Booker and Tim Scott to strengthen the final product and ensure the language of this bill defines lynching as the absolutely heinous crime that it is, and I’m glad to cosponsor this bipartisan effort,” Paul said in a statement on Monday.

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