TODAY: U.S. House to vote on hate crimes bill!
April 29, 2009
The momentum behind the federal hate crimes legislation is building! Last night, on the day that Sen. Kennedy (D-MA) introduced the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act in the U.S. Senate, President Obama issued a statement in support of the hate crimes legislation. Calling the hate crimes bill "legislation that will enhance civil rights protections, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association," Obama's statement specifically urged bipartisan support of the hate crimes bill in the U.S. House, which is scheduled to vote on the bill today. Debate on the hate crimes bill in the House is likely to begin around 3 or 4 pm this afternoon. House members will first debate and vote on the rule, which determines how the bill will be debated and amended, followed by debate and a floor vote on the bill itself. 
Follow the latest updates on the hate crimes legislation here on HRC Back Story and on Twitter by searching for the #FightHateNow hashtag. More to come...
