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Reporting from Washington -
A long-debated bill to broaden the federal hate-crime law to cover violence against gays was approved Thursday by the Democratic-controlled House in what would be the first major expansion of the law in more than 40 years.
The measure, which is expected to go before the Senate within days, had faced a veto threat from President George W. Bush, but it has President Obama's support.
White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said that Obama looked forward to signing the bill.
"As the president said back in April, the hate-crimes bill takes on an important civil rights issue to protect all of our citizens from violent acts of intolerance, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association," he said.
A version passed the Senate in July by a filibuster-proof 63-28 vote, so its passage this time seems assured.
"It's a very exciting day for us here in the Capitol," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), noting that she has pushed for expanding the law since her arrival in Congress 22 years ago.
"What makes these crimes so bad is they are not just crimes against individuals; they are crimes against entire communities," Rep. Jared Polis, a Colorado Democrat who is gay, said during the debate.
Opponents of the measure have argued that existing laws cover hate crimes.
"Violent attacks on people are already illegal regardless of the motive behind them," said Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), warning that the legislation would "put us on a slippery slope of deeming particular groups as more important than others under our system of justice."
Republican lawmakers also objected to the placement of the hate-crimes measure: attached to a $680-billion defense policy bill, which included a 3.4% pay increase for the military and authorization for the development of a new engine for the next-generation jet fighter, among other items.
The measure passed by a vote of 281 to 146, with Republicans complaining that they had been put in the politically awkward position of voting against a defense bill.
"We should not be doing social engineering on this bill," Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) said.
"Shame on you," he told Democrats.
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) said that Democrats had needlessly introduced a "partisan matter in an otherwise bipartisan defense bill for our troops."
"No member should be forced to vote for a partisan social agenda in order to provide for our troops," he said.
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) accused Democrats of hijacking the bill to "push their partisan agenda."
"It sends a terrible message to our military that this provision has been shoved into this bill when it does nothing for our military families or our national defense," he said. "Democrats should stop using our troops and their families as a vehicle for their political games."
The hate-crime legislation would expand the law to cover acts of violence motivated by a victim's sexual orientation, gender, disability or gender identity.
Existing federal law defines hate crimes as those motivated by bias based on religion, race, national origin or color.
The measure also would give federal authorities more leeway to help state and local law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes.
The measure, which is expected to go before the Senate within days, had faced a veto threat from President George W. Bush, but it has President Obama's support.
White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said that Obama looked forward to signing the bill.
"As the president said back in April, the hate-crimes bill takes on an important civil rights issue to protect all of our citizens from violent acts of intolerance, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association," he said.
A version passed the Senate in July by a filibuster-proof 63-28 vote, so its passage this time seems assured.
"It's a very exciting day for us here in the Capitol," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), noting that she has pushed for expanding the law since her arrival in Congress 22 years ago.
"What makes these crimes so bad is they are not just crimes against individuals; they are crimes against entire communities," Rep. Jared Polis, a Colorado Democrat who is gay, said during the debate.
Opponents of the measure have argued that existing laws cover hate crimes.
"Violent attacks on people are already illegal regardless of the motive behind them," said Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), warning that the legislation would "put us on a slippery slope of deeming particular groups as more important than others under our system of justice."
Republican lawmakers also objected to the placement of the hate-crimes measure: attached to a $680-billion defense policy bill, which included a 3.4% pay increase for the military and authorization for the development of a new engine for the next-generation jet fighter, among other items.
The measure passed by a vote of 281 to 146, with Republicans complaining that they had been put in the politically awkward position of voting against a defense bill.
"We should not be doing social engineering on this bill," Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) said.
"Shame on you," he told Democrats.
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) said that Democrats had needlessly introduced a "partisan matter in an otherwise bipartisan defense bill for our troops."
"No member should be forced to vote for a partisan social agenda in order to provide for our troops," he said.
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) accused Democrats of hijacking the bill to "push their partisan agenda."
"It sends a terrible message to our military that this provision has been shoved into this bill when it does nothing for our military families or our national defense," he said. "Democrats should stop using our troops and their families as a vehicle for their political games."
The hate-crime legislation would expand the law to cover acts of violence motivated by a victim's sexual orientation, gender, disability or gender identity.
Existing federal law defines hate crimes as those motivated by bias based on religion, race, national origin or color.
The measure also would give federal authorities more leeway to help state and local law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes.
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