Rep. Cisneros Votes to Condemn Anti-AAPI Racism and Discrimination

Rep. Cisneros delivered a floor speech in support of the resolution

Video: https://twitter.com/RepGilCisneros/status/1306640083299246085

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) voted to pass a resolution condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment resulting from COVID-19. H. Res. 908 calls on all public officials to denounce anti-Asian sentiment, charges law enforcement to document and expedite investigations into credible reports of hate crimes, and combats misinformation and discrimination targeted towards AAPI communities. Rep. Cisneros is an original cosponsor of the resolution. (To view Rep. Cisneros’ floor speech in support of the resolution, click here.)

“The AAPI community in the 39th district has been an integral part of fighting the coronavirus—they are first responders, essential workers, educators, and small business owners. Yet, there have been too many heartbreaking stories in our district and across the country of racism, discrimination, and physical and verbal assault toward Asian Americans,” said Rep. Cisneros. “Today, Republicans and Democrats voted to strongly condemn the anti-Asian sentiment caused by the coronavirus. We’re standing up for the AAPI community, because racism, discrimination, and assault have no place in the United States.”

On April 2, Rep. Cisneros sent a letter to President Donald Trump condemning his terminology of “Chinese virus” or “Wuhan virus” to refer to COVID-19, linking it to the rise in anti-Asian discrimination and violence.

On March 10, Rep. Cisneros condemned House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) and Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-4) for spreading xenophobic language and endangering Asian Americans.

Rep. Cisneros is an executive board member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.