Bill Overview
Title: Leading Against White Supremacy Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes a standard for determining whether a person engaged in a white supremacy inspired hate crime. The bill also sets forth the elements of related conspiracies. Specifically, the bill states that a person engaged in a white supremacy inspired hate crime when white supremacy ideology motivated the actions that constituted a crime or were undertaken in furtherance of activity that would have constituted a crime. Additionally, the bill sets forth the elements of an offense involving the conspiracy to engage in a white supremacy inspired hate crime. Finally, the bill authorizes the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and maintain records of white supremacy inspired hate crimes and related conspiracies.
Sponsors: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Target Audience
Population: People at risk of white supremacy inspired hate crimes
Estimated Size: 10000000
- White supremacy motivated hate crimes can target various demographics, but historically they have frequently targeted racial minorities (e.g., Black, Hispanic, Native American communities), religious groups (e.g., Jewish, Sikh, Muslim communities), and LGBTQ+ individuals.
- The legislation would impact not only the individuals who are direct victims of these hate crimes, but also communities that face a heightened risk of white supremacist violence.
- The establishment of a legal standard and increased DOJ focus could improve community wellbeing through enhanced safety and trust in legal protections.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to mitigate white supremacy hate crimes, improving mental and physical safety for targeted groups.
- Direct victims, potential victims, and broader communities are affected by hate crimes inspired by white supremacy, all experiencing either direct or indirect impacts.
- The DOJ's enhanced role in investigating and prosecuting these crimes offers a sense of security and justice.
- The budget constraints highlight the focus on areas with historically higher incidences of hate crimes.
- Not everyone will feel a significant change in their personal daily lives, reflecting the diversity in impact across the population.
- Some individuals may perceive the policy as overly restrictive or unnecessary, highlighting the political and social divides in the country.
Simulated Interviews
Activist (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I live in fear of being targeted for my identity.
- It's about time more is done to keep people safe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Business Owner (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My business has been targeted with hate vandalism.
- This policy could deter people with those hateful intentions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Retired (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These laws bring a measure of relief for older communities that still remember the impacts of past hate crimes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Student (New York, New York)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about being attacked simply for wearing my hijab.
- This policy could mean better protection.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Journalist (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 35 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill could discourage hate crime incentivization, but watchdog organizations must hold entities accountable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Teacher (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial for my students and community to feel safe in places they learn and live.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Police Officer (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act requires awareness and training so that bias is minimized in identifying these crimes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
IT Specialist (Miami, Florida)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hate groups are more covert online, requiring adaptive strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
History Professor (Charlottesville, Virginia)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Educational initiatives should complement legal actions for more comprehensive understanding and prevention.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Community Organizer (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Trust must be earned, and this represents a start but isn't the entire solution.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $27000000 (Low: $22000000, High: $32000000)
Year 3: $29000000 (Low: $24000000, High: $34000000)
Year 5: $33000000 (Low: $28000000, High: $38000000)
Year 10: $40000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $45000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill's impact on community wellbeing and safety, which could indirectly influence economic stability.
- Potential legal challenges affecting the interpretation and application of white supremacy inspired hate crime definitions.