NATIONAL BRIEFING
President Obama signed hate crime legislation that extends civil rights protections to people based on sexual orientation, saying the nation would be a place where “we’re all free to live and love as we see fit.”
The law expands federal hate crimes to include those committed against people because of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It also loosens limits on when federal law enforcement can intervene and prosecute crimes.
“No one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hands of the person they love,” Obama said at a reception, surrounded by joyful supporters.
Democrats had attached the provision to a $680-billion defense measure over Republican protests. Obama signed the combined bill in a separate ceremony.
The defense bill kills some costly military projects -- including the F-22 fighter jet program -- while expanding war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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