A vote that would attach hate crimes
legislation as an amendment to a must-pass defense bill is expected
Thursday. Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona is leading the
charge against the move, Politico reported.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on
Tuesday announced he would attach the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act
to a $690 billion defense authorization bill. The bill (S909) would
add disability, gender and sexual orientation to the list of hate
crime protections. The law would also aid state and local
governments prosecute hate crimes.
“This week, we'll bring to the floor
the Matthew Shepard hate crime legislation, so named in the honor of
Judy Shepard's son,” Reid said at a press conference, where he
appeared with Judy Shepard, Matthew Shepard's mother.
“Judy Shepard has shown incredible
strength, leadership and dedication to bringing justice to America
and to her son. She and many others who have suffered taught us that
we cannot be afraid to call these crimes what they – hate crimes,”
he added.
On Wednesday, McCain led the charge
against the move, calling it an “abuse of power.”
“Those of us who oppose this
legislation – and it is important legislation – will be faced
with a dilemma of choosing between a bill which can harm, in my view,
the United States of America and its judicial system and a bill
defending the nation,” McCain said on the Senate floor. “I don't
think that's fair to any member of this body.”
“I recognize he has strong feelings,
well … so do I … I wonder which recent morning did the senator
wake up and feel so strongly,” Reid responded. “Where has he
been in the past?”
While most Republicans oppose the
legislation, other than McCain, senators remained silent on Wednesday
as Democrats spoke in support.
“If all that Matthew Shepard had to
deal with were taunts about his sexuality, his sexual preference,
that would be one thing,” California Senator Barbara Boxer said on
the floor. “He had to deal with murderers who tortured him.”
The move will test the brinksmanship of
opposing political interests. In favor of more F-22 stealth fighter
jets – at a cost of $140 million each – are the Republicans, a
provision included in the defense bill. But an expenditure opposed
by President Obama, who has urged lawmakers to pass hate crimes. If
Democrats succeed in their hate crimes add-on, they will have managed
to intertwine the fates of both measures.