Three black senators—Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, and Tim Scott—introduced a bill called the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018, which proposes a law to make lynching a federal hate crime.
Booker, alongside Harris (California) and Scott (South Carolina), are the only three black senators out of the 100 in the United States. In order to pass the bill, they will need the support of 60 senators through a voice vote. So far the bill has been co-sponsored by Bernie Sanders, Angus King, and 15 more Democratic senators.
"It's a travesty that despite repeated attempts to do so, Congress still hasn't put anti-lynching legislation on the books," said Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey. "This bill will right historical wrongs by acknowledging our country's stained past and codifying into law our commitment to abolishing this shameful practice."
Harris and Scott also released statements on the bill. "Lynching is a dark, despicable part of our history, and we must acknowledge that, lest we repeat it," Harris said.
"This piece of legislation sends a message that together, as a nation, we condemn the actions of those that try to divide us with violence and hate," Scott added.
Their proposal comes two weeks after Rep. Bobby L. Rush of Illinois and 35 members of the Congressional Black Caucus introduced a similar bill. As for the senators, they plan to amend the US Code "to specify that lynching is a crime in itself that would warrant an enhanced sentence under existing federal hate crime statues."
