U.S. President Joe Biden addresses a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 28, 2021. (Melina Mara/Pool via Xinhua)

"My message to all those of you who are hurting is, we see you," said President Joe Biden. "And we are committed to stopping the hatred and the bias."

WASHINGTON, May 20  -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday afternoon signed a legislation to curb anti-Asian hate crimes that have skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris thanked lawmakers for offering overwhelming bipartisan support to the legislation.

"My message to all those of you who are hurting is, we see you," said Biden. "And we are committed to stopping the hatred and the bias."

"Racism exists in America," Harris said. "Xenophobia exists in America. Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, it all exists."

"This bill brings us one step closer to stopping hate, not just against Asian Americans, but for all Americans," said Harris.

The House passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act on Tuesday in a 364-62 vote after the Senate voted 94-1 last month.

The legislation would create a position at the Justice Department to expedite a review of COVID-19-related hate crimes; provide grants for states to create hotlines for reporting hate crimes and for law enforcement training aimed at preventing and identifying hate crimes; and direct federal agencies to work with community organizations to help raise awareness about hate crimes during the pandemic.