US Federal House Bill HR1116

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/16/26

Caption

Commemorating the 5-year remembrance of the March 16, 2021, shootings in the Atlanta, Georgia, region and denouncing continuing anti-Asian hate, including the resurgence of xenophobic and anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Summary

H. Res. 1116 is a commemorative House resolution marking the five-year remembrance of the March 16, 2021 Atlanta-area spa shootings. It honors the eight victims, condemns the violence as rooted in racism and sexism, and recognizes the lasting grief and trauma experienced by families and Asian American communities. The resolution places the shootings in the broader context of rising anti-Asian hate, xenophobic rhetoric, anti-immigrant disinformation, and the need for culturally responsive support services. The resolution also urges continued federal attention to hate crimes and community safety. It reaffirms support for hate-crime reporting improvements, references implementation of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, and calls for restoration and expansion of Department of Justice programs, including Bureau of Justice Assistance efforts and Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act programs. It further encourages efforts to combat online hate and disinformation and to expand education about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and antibias practices in schools and colleges. As a House resolution, the measure does not change substantive state law or create new legal obligations. Its practical effect is expressive and policy-oriented: it signals congressional condemnation, supports federal anti-hate initiatives, and encourages educational and community-based responses. The resolution also highlights issues affecting reporting and access to services, including language barriers, immigration concerns, and fear of law enforcement. The overall sentiment reflected in the text is strongly supportive of the resolution’s purpose and highly critical of anti-Asian violence and rhetoric. The bill frames the Atlanta shootings as part of a continuing pattern of discrimination and calls for solidarity with affected communities. Because no committee debate or vote history is provided, there is no recorded opposition in the supplied materials, but the resolution’s emphasis on anti-immigrant rhetoric, online disinformation, and federal hate-crime programs suggests the main areas where disagreement could arise. Notable points of emphasis include the role of anti-Asian and anti-immigrant rhetoric, the need for better hate-crime reporting, and support for culturally competent mental health and language-access services. The resolution also specifically recognizes the disproportionate impact on women, immigrants, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.

Impact

H. Res. 1116 would not amend state statutes or impose new legal requirements; it is a nonbinding congressional resolution. Its impact is to formally recognize the Atlanta spa shootings, condemn anti-Asian hate, and encourage continued federal action through existing hate-crime reporting, DOJ grant programs, community-based prevention efforts, and educational initiatives. The resolution may influence policy priorities and public messaging, but it does not directly alter state law or create enforceable rights.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding the resolution is strongly sympathetic and condemnatory toward anti-Asian violence and xenophobic rhetoric. The text expresses mourning for the victims, support for survivors and affected communities, and endorsement of federal efforts to combat hate crimes and improve reporting and education. No vote or committee transcript is provided, so there is no recorded dissent in the supplied materials.

Contention

The main points of contention implied by the resolution are the causes and framing of anti-Asian hate, especially references to anti-immigrant rhetoric, online disinformation, and historical discriminatory policies. The resolution also points to practical disagreements that can arise around funding and scope for DOJ hate-crime programs, education initiatives, and community-based services. In the absence of committee debate or votes, no specific member opposition is documented, but these policy areas are the most likely sources of disagreement.