Congress drops hate crime bill covering attacks on gays

[flvegan]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress has dropped legislation that would have expanded hate crime laws to include attacks on gays after it became clear the measure wouldn't pass the House, aides said Thursday.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy, was widely supported by Democrats and even some moderate Senate Republicans. But because it was attached to a major defense policy bill that would have authorized more money for the Iraq war, many anti-war Democrats said they would oppose it.

"We don't have the votes," said one House Democratic aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity because conference negotiations on the defense bill were ongoing. "We're about 40 votes short, not four or six."

The development is a blow to civil rights groups which say that broadening federal laws are necessary to address a rise in crimes motivated by hate based upon a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Sorry, it's CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/06/congress.hatecrimes.ap/index.html

[stillcool]

1. Sick Mofo's..

The actions of this Congress do not reflect who I am, but who they are. I am not a part of, and never have been a part of the society they represent.

[cboy4]

2. Same shit. Different day.

:puke:

[Chipper Chat]

3. So Matthew Shepard's death means nothing?

Why am I not surprised?

[Wcross]

4. Good. If you notice it was "attached" to more money for the war.

It would have passed if it were not attached to the defense policy bill. I wish they couldn't "attach" bills that are totally unrelated to each other.

[LeftyMom]

5. Could they stick it to something (anything!) other than the Blowing Up Foreign People bill?

Christ. What a bunch of dumbasses. :eyes: