Statement Of
John C. Yang
President and Executive Director
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC
Hearing On
“Enumeration or Estimation: Why Inaccurate Census Results Hurt American Citizens”
House of Representatives
Subcommittee On The Constitution And Limited Government
Committee On The Judiciary
November 19, 2025
 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (Advancing Justice | AAJC) submits this statement for the record in response to the hearing titled “Ending Illegal DEI Discrimination & Preferences: Enforcing Our Civil Rights Laws.” As a national organization committed to advancing civil and human rights for Asian Americans and other underserved communities, we strongly oppose efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives under the guise of enforcing civil rights.

Government programs like the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program, and those provided by the Minority Business Development Agency (“MBDA”), are essential for remedying past discrimination against racial and ethnic minorities, including Asian Americans, helping the American economy thrive, and reinforcing our democracy. These programs ensure that minority-owned small businesses are able to survive and thrive, benefitting not only the businesses themselves but the communities they serve and the nation as a whole.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (Advancing Justice | AAJC) submits this testimony to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee for its hearing entitled “A Threat to Justice Everywhere: Stemming the Tide of Hate Crimes in America,” held on September 17, 2024.

This written testimony is submitted on behalf of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (“Advancing Justice | AAJC”), a national non-profit organization founded in 1991 dedicated to advancing civil and human rights for Asian Americans. We strive to empower Asian American and Pacific Islander communities across the country by bringing local and national constituencies together and advocating for federal policy that reflects the needs of Asian Americans and promotes a fair and equitable society for all.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) has been a powerful tool to protect Asian Americans from discrimination and increase the community’s access to the ballot. Unfortunately, this tool has been rendered less effective in the wake of harmful and short-sighted decisions by the Supreme Court, including Shelby County v. Holder, 570 U.S. 2 (2013) (Shelby County) more than a decade ago. As one of the nation’s fastest growing racial groups, Asian Americans are also an increasingly significant part of the electorate.

Today, in response to the FCC’s refusal to bring the Standard General - TEGNA transaction to a vote, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC, NAN, NUL, and UnidosUS released the following joint statement:

Today, a diverse caucus of the nation’s oldest and largest Civil Rights organizations have come together, with one voice, to make a simple demand of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission: Hold a full commission vote on Standard General’s acquisition of TEGNA.

In the context of a proposed acquisition of TEGNA broadcast stations by Standard General, recent statements have focused on the ethnicity of Mr. Soo Kim, the co-founder and managing partner of Standard General. Such media attention has become divisive and has distracted from substantive issues related to the transaction. 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC submits this statement to the United States Commission on Civil Rights for its briefing entitled “The Federal Response to Anti-Asian Racism in the United States” on March 24, 2023. Three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian Americans are still impacted by anti-Asian hate and violence.

On April 28, Director of Telecommunications, Technology & Media Emily Chi testified before the United States House of Representatives Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Elections Hearing on “A Growing Threat: The Impact of Disinformation Targeted at Communities of Color."