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Dem lawmaker vows to renew push for anti-hate legislation in new Congress

The Hill

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) on Wednesday vowed to renew his push in the new Congress for legislation to track and prevent hate crimes. 

"A major challenge of our time is the rise of white nationalism, racism and hate. I reject hate groups, and recognize racism as a threat to our communities, and our democracy. I will back those words with action: a renewed push to pass the NO HATE Act in this session of Congress," Beyer wrote in a tweet.

The pledge comes after Beyer in November called on the House to pass the NO HATE Act, saying in a statement at the time that it was "time for Congress to take action."

“For the third year in a row, hate crimes across the country have risen, this year by 17 percent. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth of Virginia has seen its share in this escalation, and it is time for Congress to take action,” he said at the time. “With each passing year, the problem of hate in the United States grows, and it requires Congress to take up and pass the NO HATE Act.”

The legislation would aim to improve the reporting of hate crimes, create a hate crime hotline, aid victims of hate crimes in court and better rehabilitate those who perpetrate hate crimes. 

Democrats will gain control of the House when the new Congress takes office on Thursday.