💡 AAPI Politics Briefing: Sending aid to the Pacific

The historic category 4 storm passed over Guam last week, dropping more than a foot of rain and leaving tens of thousands on the island without power. It was declared a super typhoon—or category 5—as it moved westward toward The Philippines. 

As of right now, Guam does not appear to have suffered major damage or storm-related fatalities, local officials say. “I am so glad we are safe,” Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero (D) said in an appearance on KUAM News. She asked residents to “please stay home for your protection and your safety.”

KHKA, a local radio station in Honolulu, partnered with FEMA to ensure that emergency radio broadcasts will continue to reach those affected by Typhoon Mawar. Of the 74 radio stations that participate in the National Public Warning System, KHKA is the first in Hawai‘i. 

“Everyone helps out with the cleaning,” Guam Police Sgt. Paul Tapao told Hawaii Public Radio about dealing with the wreckage. “That’s the Guamanian way.” 

Tong is the president and CEO of the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship and has retained bipartisan support throughout her career, including from McConnell. She has been especially lauded for her work on the recovery of AAPI small businesses affected by the pandemic.

Smith served as the eighth executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the Trump administration and has worked closely with former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao (R) over the span of her career. Smith is known for focusing on expanding AAPI access to economic resources and opportunities.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California) had previously announced their appointees for the bipartisan commission, formed in June 2022 via federal legislation that was sponsored by Rep. Grace Meng (D-New York). After years of advocacy by AAPI groups nationwide, the commission is finally moving forward.

Schumer’s picks are Joanne Kwong, president of New York City-based emporium Pearl River Mart, and Kevin Kim, commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. Meanwhile, Pelosi appointed Jay Xu, director and CEO of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Xu is the first Chinese American director of any major U.S. art museum. 

What to know: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), a 2024 presidential contender, has signed into law a state bill that bans Chinese citizens, along with citizens of Russia, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and Venezuela from purchasing land within 10 miles of a military post, a seaport, or an airport. DeSantis has said he is protecting the state from the influence of the Chinese government.

A group of Florida residents who are Chinese are challenging the law, which they call unconstitutional. In a federal lawsuit, the plaintiffs argue that the law violates the Fair Housing Act, which makes illegal discrimination in housing on the basis of race.

Critics have warned the bill could discriminate against Chinese Americans by fueling unnecessary suspicion of individuals with Chinese-origin last names and that the threat from the Chinese Communist Party is overblown, report Axios’ Deirdra Funcheon and Martin Vassolo.

🗣️ What they are saying: “Governor DeSantis and Florida lawmakers’ bill … is the latest attack against the Chinese American community and will only lead to more racial discrimination,” said Rep. Grace Meng (D-New York) in a statement. “This bill would impact current Chinese homeowners who would be required to complete special registration with the Florida government in order to keep their property … Florida lawmakers should be ashamed of how this bill targets and harms Chinese Americans and take immediate steps to carefully amend its language.”

👉 Sablan’s bill would effectively increase the annual Medicaid funding limit for the Northern Mariana Islands from $66 million to $90 million.

CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios (I) expressed in an interview with Marianas Variety’s Emmanuel T. Erediano that COVID-related aid, which expires on May 31, provided an important boost. Its expiration “is leaving a lot of folks without Medicaid," Palacios said.

Why it matters: A growing list of states are requiring Asian American history in their curriculums. But there has not yet been a national measure to standardize the teaching for K-12 schools.

Sen. Mazie Hirono’s (D-Hawai‘i) bill would require federally funded nonprofits overseeing workshops for teachers and students to include AAPI history in their curricula. Rep. Meng introduced the first version of the bill last May.

“If not invisible, APIA groups are often pejoratively depicted as foreigners, instead of people who have lived in and positively contributed to this country for generations—fueling longstanding xenophobia and racism against our communities,” said Hirono in a press release.

“Given the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, it is more critical than ever before that we accurately portray the many achievements and contributions of our communities, as well as the racism and prejudice that APIAs have endured for decades in schools across the country,” she added.

What he’s saying: “There needs to be some civic experience you need to have gone through in order to actually vote,” Ramaswamy told POLITICO’s Natalie Allison. “That experience could be living seven years as an adult and voting at age 25.” 

Gaining traction? The 37-year-old biotech entrepreneur reportedly received “vehement objections” from his staff regarding the proposal, but his campaign adviser later said a number of immigrants at a campaign stop in Novi, Michigan—an event largely attended by Asian Americans—praised the suggestion and helped “seal the deal” for Ramaswamy, according to the POLITICO report.

About half of Vietnamese registered voters lean toward the Republican Party, according to the report.

However: Around two-thirds of Chinese, Indian, Filipino, and Korean registered voters identify with the Democratic Party.

A growing relationship: 60% of Asian adults say that what happens to Asians in the U.S. affects their own lives, with 68% of Asian Americans saying it is extremely important to “have a national leader advocating for the concerns and needs of the Asian population in the U.S.”

Gym placed third in the competitive race, falling behind the political establishment’s favored pick Cherelle Parker and trailing less than 2,000 votes behind former Wall Street executive Rebecca Rhynhart.

A lasting impact: “Helen really represents the coming of age of the progressive movement,” Our Revolution Executive Director Joseph Geevarghese told CNN’s Gregory Krieg. “She emerged as a community activist and organizer, she then sought political power, sought to bring movement politics into the political realm.”