Led by Democrats Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Rep. Grace Meng of New York, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act will require federal officers to "facilitate the expedited review" of hate crimes.
"It defines COVID-19 hate crime as a violent crime that is motivated by two things: (1) the actual or perceived characteristic (e.g., race) of any person, and (2) the actual or perceived relationship to the spread of COVID-19 of any person because of that characteristic," according to the bill's summary.
In a rare bipartisan effort, a vast majority of senators voted 92-6 to advance the bill - bringing it one step closer to passing.
But the legislation could still face a difficult path forward. Republicans only supported the procedure on the agreement they could add amendments to the bill after it advanced: They added 20.
Senate leaders will now have to agree which amendments to consider in order to pass the bill through the Senate, "very, very soon," Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech Wednesday.
Here are the six Republicans who voted "no."
Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas
In this May 11, 2017 file photo, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. Jacquelyn Martin/AP
A representative from Cotton's office told Insider that he voted against the bill because "he's working on related legislation."
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, asks a question during the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Representatives from Sen. Cruz's office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Representatives from Sen. Hawley's office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) questions Xavier Becerra, U.S. President Joe Biden's nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., February 23, 2021. Leigh Vogel/ReutersMore
Representatives from Sen. Marshall's office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky). Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Representatives from Sen. Paul's office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama
2020 Alabama Republican US Senate nominee Tommy Tuberville AP Photo/John Minchillo, File
Representatives from Sen. Tuberville's office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.