The Democratic-lead Senate vote to expand the hate crimes definition to include crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation, or, the victims' disability. The vote was 60 to 39. The Senate version was attached to the defense authorization bill. The House has previously passed a hate crimes bill.
Opponents of extending federal protections to gays and lesbians immediately predict it “ultimately would fail either in negotiations with the House or by presidential veto. 'The president is not going to agree to this social legislation on the defense authorization bill’ said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. ‘This bill will get vetoed.’”
The 60 vote passage will not override a presidential veto, but, the vote shows progress on several fronts. The entire Democratic—and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT)—united behind this bill. "Nine Republicans were among the 60 senators who voted to support the amendment: GOP co-sponsor Gordon Smith of Oregon, Sens. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, Olympia Snowe of Maine, Susan Collins of Maine, Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Richard Lugar of Indiana, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, John Warner of Virginia and George Voinovich of Ohio." Collins is facing a tough re-election campaign but has previously voted for this legislation. Coleman is also vulnerable next fall.
Predictably, Idaho toe tapper Larry Craig did not support this measure, along with the very! straight! Lindsey Graham (SC) and Mitch McConnell (KY). Republican presidential candidate John McCain (AZ) was the only Senator to abstain.
Hate Crimes Attached to Pentagon Bill [AP]
Senate Votes 60-39 [HRC Back Story]
Is Lindsey Graham Gay? [City Paper]
I guess had it been an amendment to make toilet sex legal when you know the codes, Larry Craig would have signed on. Talk about a self hating hypocrite. And, the rest of the Repug's who voted gaisnt it, are the same ones who can be counted on to vote "no" on anything related to the black communites as well.
Posted by: Antwan | 28 September 2007 at 13:47
Whew. I'm so relieved. Now that it's illegal to "hate" gay people, I'll never have to be afraid of being bashed again. What's the next thought-crime? Beige?
How about we get my BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS encoded into law first, Congress?
Posted by: Andy in Seattle | 30 September 2007 at 00:16
It's welcome news. In the meantime, I'm continuing to research and add cases to The LGBT Hate Crimes Project. There's no shortage of them, and new ones seem to be reported almost every other day.
Posted by: Terrance | 01 October 2007 at 13:31