House passes anti-lynching act

The House of Representatives passed historic legislation making lynching a federal crime.

Called the ‘Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act’, HR 35 passed with broad, bipartisan support in a 410-4 vote. It was named after the 14-year-old whose brutal murder in Mississippi became a Civil Rights rallying cry in the 1950s.

Anti-lynching legislation has already passed unanimously in the Senate. Since the bills have different titles and numbers, additional actions will be necessary before the legislation can go to the president’s desk for signature.

Officials said they expect the Senate to next take up the House-passed legislation this week.