House to vote on legislation to make lynching a federal hate crime

The House will vote next week on legislation to make lynching a federal hate crime, House Majority Leader Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerThere was a clear winner on election night: Marijuana 59th inaugural ceremonies: 'Our Determined Democracy: Forging a More Perfect Union' Democrats seek wave to bolster House majority MORE (D-Md.) announced Thursday. 

The Democratic-controlled House will vote on the bill, introduced by Rep. Bobby RushBobby Lee RushHillicon Valley: Judge's ruling creates fresh hurdle for TikTok | House passes bills to secure energy sector against cyberattacks | Biden campaign urges Facebook to remove Trump posts spreading 'falsehoods' House passes bills to secure energy sector against cyberattacks Congress should investigate OAS actions in Bolivia MORE (D-Ill.) on Wednesday. 

“102 years ago, Congressman Leonidas C. Dyer of Missouri introduced the first antilynching legislation to pass the House, but tragically, that bill would die in the Senate. However, with today’s announcement, we are one step closer to finally outlawing this heinous practice and achieving justice for over four thousand victims of lynching, including Emmitt Till,” Rush said in a statement. 

“From Charlottesville to El Paso, we are still being confronted with the same violent racism and hatred that took the life of Emmett and so many others. The passage of this bill will send a strong and clear message to the nation that we will not tolerate this bigotry,” he said.

The bill is named for Emmett Till, the 14-year-old African American boy who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955. 

The Senate, in a bill introduced by Sens. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerCawthorn wins election to fill seat vacated by Meadows Booker easily wins reelection in New Jersey Live updates: Democrats fight to take control of the Senate MORE (D-N.J.), Kamala HarrisKamala HarrisKamala Harris tells great-niece she could be president in viral clip Biden projects confidence in election results: 'We continue to feel very good about where things stand' Record number of women to serve in the next Congress MORE (D-Calif.) and Tim ScottTimothy (Tim) Eugene ScottJuan Williams: Democrats rise in the New South Could Blacks and Hispanics hand Trump a November victory? From HBCUs to Capitol Hill: How Congress can play an important role MORE (R-S.C.), passed anti-lynching legislation last year. 

Harris and Booker cheered the House’s decision to vote on the lynching bill in a statement Thursday reported by InsiderNJ. 

“While we cannot undo the irrevocable damage of lynching and its pervasive legacy, we can ensure that we as a country make clear that lynching will not be tolerated,” Booker said. 

“I’m grateful for the partnership of Senators Booker and Scott, and I applaud the House of Representatives for bringing this important legislation to the floor. This justice is long overdue,” Harris said.