Supporters of a gay- and transgender-inclusive hate crimes prevention bill say they will continue to call on the Senate to pass the legislation when it returns from its summer recess next month despite a recent statement by the White House that President Bush plans to veto the bill.
A White House spokesperson told the Washington Times on Aug. 6 that the president would veto the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act, even if it were attached to a defense authorization bill that the president wants Congress to pass.
“The qualifications [in the bill] are so broad that virtually any crime involving a homosexual individual has the potential to have hate crimes elements,” White House spokesperson Tony Fratto told the Times.
“The proposals they’re talking about are not sufficiently narrow,” the Times quoted Fratto as saying.
The White House did not respond by press time this week to an inquiry by the Blade about what, if any, changes the president would like to see in the bill in order for him to sign it.
The Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill would change an existing federal hate crimes statute to give the federal government authority to prosecute violent hate crimes that target someone because of his or her sexual orientation, gender identity, gender or disability. It would also make federal funds available to local law enforcement agencies to help them investigate and prosecute hate crimes.(keep reading)
A White House spokesperson told the Washington Times on Aug. 6 that the president would veto the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act, even if it were attached to a defense authorization bill that the president wants Congress to pass.
“The qualifications [in the bill] are so broad that virtually any crime involving a homosexual individual has the potential to have hate crimes elements,” White House spokesperson Tony Fratto told the Times.
“The proposals they’re talking about are not sufficiently narrow,” the Times quoted Fratto as saying.
The White House did not respond by press time this week to an inquiry by the Blade about what, if any, changes the president would like to see in the bill in order for him to sign it.
The Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill would change an existing federal hate crimes statute to give the federal government authority to prosecute violent hate crimes that target someone because of his or her sexual orientation, gender identity, gender or disability. It would also make federal funds available to local law enforcement agencies to help them investigate and prosecute hate crimes.(keep reading)
3 comments:
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just one more reason to hate bush... and i thought the list couldnt get any longer.
richard29pa@aol.com
"King" George seems more determined by the minute to f*ck up the United States and the rest of the World before the end of his term. Still, I'm afraid even more for next year's election despite a big lead in polls by Hillary and Obama, I sincerely doubt either would win the Presidency in '08.
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