Response of Susan Collins (R-Maine)

“Hate-motivated crimes targeting religious, racial, and ethnic minorities are an attack on the fabric of our society,” said Senator Collins. “I was an original cosponsor of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act during my first term in 1999 and in each Congress thereafter until it was signed into law, and I have led numerous other efforts in Congress to combat these horrific incidents. While these violent crimes have increased across the United States in recent years, hate crimes in Maine have declined steadily over the past decade, according to FBI data. This decrease is a testament to the people of Maine.” Background: -Last year, the Portland Press Herald ran an article by the Washington Post that reported that, according to the FBI, federally reported hate crimes in Maine have fallen over the last decade. Sen. Collins’ Record: -Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Sen. Collins first cosponsored the Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 1999, during her first term in office, and cosponsored an amendment to the FY 2001 NDAA to enhance federal enforcement of hate crimes. She was an original cosponsor of the bill in each congress before it was enacted into law in 2009. That year, she joined the late Senator Kennedy and Senators Leahy and Snowe in introducing S. 909, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. In an effort to ensure that this legislation passed, Senator Collins was a lead cosponsor in offering the bill as an amendment to the NDAA. The law extended the federal law against hate crimes to protect LGBT people. -Resolution to address and deter all forms of anti-Semitism. In 2009, Sen. Collins led a Senate Resolution to address and deter all forms of anti-Semitism. The Resolution was agreed to in the Senate by UC. She cosponsored a similar measure (sponsored by Sen. Menendez) in 2015, which condemned the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. -Memorial Tree in honor of Emmett Till. In 2015, Sen. Collins sponsored the tree planting on U.S. Capitol Grounds for a young African-American man whose brutal killing in 1955 raised public awareness that led to the civil rights movement. -Letter RE: threats made to Jewish Community Centers, Jewish Day Schools, and synagogues. On March 7th, 2017, SAMC joined every member of the Senate in writing to then-Attorney General Sessions, then-Homeland Security Secretary Kelly, and then-FBI Director Comey, urging them to take action in response to threats made against Jewish Community Centers, Jewish Day Schools, and synagogues. -Resolution Condemning Ethnic, Religious, & Racial Hate Crimes. In April 2017, Sen. Collins led a bipartisan resolution with Sens. Harris, Rubio, and Feinstein condemning racial, religious, and ethnic hate crimes, as well as all forms of bias and discrimination, incitement to violence, and other forms of animus targeting these communities across the United States. The resolution unanimously passed the Senate on April 5, 2017. -Joint Resolution Condemning Violence in Charlottesville. In response to the violence that took place in Charlottesville, VA, in 2017, Sen. Collins cosponsored a joint resolution condemning the attack and urging the Trump Administration to use all available resources to address threats posed by hate groups. Sen. Collins also made three public statements and repeatedly condemned the violence and all who identify with the KKK, Nazism, white supremacy, and other hateful ideologies. President Trump signed this resolution into law on September 14, 2017. -Resolution condemning the attack at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. In response to the horrific, anti-Semitic attack at a synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018, Sen. Collins cosponsored a Senate resolution expressing support and prayers for all those affected by the tragedy and applauding the dedication and bravery of law enforcement and emergency response officials in responding to the attack. The resolution passed by unanimous consent on November 15, 2018. -Justice for Victims of Lynching Act. Sen. Collins was an original cosponsor of this bill, led by Sens. Harris, Booker, and Scott, which would make lynching a federal crime and classify lynching as a hate crime warranting enhanced sentencing. It unanimously passed the Senate in December 2018 and February 2019. -50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Sen. Collins led a resolution with Sens. Baldwin, Gillibrand, and Schumer recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. It passed the Senate unanimously in June 2019. The resolution condemns violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ community and recommits the Senate to “securing justice, equality, and well-being for LGBTQ individuals.”