[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 40 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1012-S1013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      EMMETT TILL ANTILYNCHING ACT

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 55, which was received 
from the House and is at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 55) to amend section 249 of title 18, United 
     States Code, to specify lynching as a hate crime act.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read 
a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered 
made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 55) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third 
time, and passed.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I just want to go over what just 
happened.
  After more than 200 failed attempts to outlaw lynching, Congress is 
finally succeeding in taking the long-overdue action by passing the 
Emmett Till Antilynching Act. Hallelujah. It is long overdue.
  The first anti-lynching legislation was introduced a century ago, and 
after so long, the Senate has now finally addressed one of the most 
shameful elements of this Nation's past by making lynching a Federal 
crime. That it took so long is a stain--a bitter stain--on America.
  While this will not erase the horrific injustices to which tens of 
thousands of African Americans have been subjected over the 
generations--nor fully heal the terror inflicted on countless others--
it is an important step forward as we continue the work of confronting 
our Nation's past in pursuit of a brighter and more just future.
  I want to applaud the work of the legislation's sponsors. Senator 
Booker has been relentless to get this done and deserves tremendous 
credit, as does his colleague on the Republican side of the aisle, 
Senator Scott, and, of course,

[[Page S1013]]

Representative   Bobby Rush, who worked so hard to pass this bill as 
well.
  We look forward now to President Biden quickly signing this long-
delayed bill into law.

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