Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 55, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, by a bipartisan vote of 422-3. This legislation, introduced by Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), explicitly designates lynching as a hate crime under federal law.

"I applaud my colleagues for overwhelmingly passing the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, long-overdue legislation that would correct a historical injustice by finally specifying lynching as a crime under federal law," said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Nadler. "By passing this bill today, the House of Representatives has sent a clear message that such violent actions—motivated by hatred and bigotry—will not be tolerated in this country. I thank Congressman Rush for his leadership on this important issue and for his attention to history. The Senate should take up this legislation and send it to President Biden's desk without delay."

"Today is a day of enormous consequence for our nation. By passing my Emmett Till Antilynching Act, the House today has sent a resounding message that our nation is finally reckoning with one of the darkest and most horrific periods of our history, and that we are morally and legally committed to changing course," said Congressman Rush. "The failure of Congress to codify federal antilynching legislation—despite more than 200 attempts since 1900—meant that 99 percent of lynching perpetrators walked free. Today we correct this historical injustice. I thank my colleagues in the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate who have worked tirelessly with me throughout the past year to reach agreement on the text of this legislation. I look forward to this bill passing the Senate and being swiftly signed into law."