Senate Approves Broadened Hate-Crime Measure
By DAVID STOUT
Published: October 22, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/us/politics/23hate.html?_r=1 (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/us/politics/23hate.html?_r=1)
WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Thursday to extend new federal protections to people who are victims of violent crime because of their sex or sexual orientation, bringing the measure close to reality after years of fierce debate.
The 68-to-29 vote sends the legislation to President Obama, who has said he supports it.
The measure, attached to an essential military-spending bill, broadens the definition of federal hate crimes to include those committed because of a victim's gender or gender identity, or sexual orientation. It gives victims the same federal safeguards already afforded to people who are victims of violent crimes because of their race, color, religion or national origin.
I have no doubt that he will sign it. I am waiting for the fallout from the opposition. And there will be some smuck that will challenge it in court.
Janet