House Passes Hate Crimes Bill
WASHINGTON - The House voted Thursday to make it a federal crime to assault people because of their sexual orientation, significantly expanding the hate crimes law enacted in the days after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968.
With expected passage by the Senate, federal prosecutors will for the first time be able to intervene in cases of violence perpetrated against gays.
Civil rights groups and their Democratic allies have been trying for more than a decade to broaden the reach of hate crimes law. This time it appears they will succeed. The measure is attached to a must-pass $680 billion defense policy bill and President Barack Obama - unlike President George W. Bush - is a strong supporter. The House passed the defense bill 281-146, with 15 Democrats and 131 Republicans in opposition.
The proposed expansion would include crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33228688/ns/politics-capitol_hill/
While I'm glad they're at least getting something pushed forward, I'd much rather it was ENDA or repealing DADT, but beggars can't be choosers I suppose... It's almost a miracle they got anything gay-related got through with how things have been going, so let's hope this is the first in a string of progressive and badly needed pieces of legislation that are passed.