“Today the House of Representatives voted to pass legislation adding gender and sexual orientation to the categories covered by the Federal Hate Crimes law.
I was a co-sponsor of this important legislation, and I am proud this legislation passed the House with bi-partisan support just as it has the past few years.
Hate crimes have no place in America. All Americans have a right to feel safe in their communities. Our common sense values provide that we have tolerance and respect for our differences. We must hold accountable those who violate that tolerance and commit violent crimes against others.
This legislation merely broadens existing law to cover not just hate crimes targeted at victims engaged in federally protected activity, but covers all violent crimes motivated by race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability when the defendant causes or attempts to cause bodily injury.
This bill is focused on giving state and local law enforcement the tools and resources they need to prevent and prosecute hate crimes. This legislation is designed to punish violent crimes. It does not affect free speech.
This is a bill with broad support from a cross section of groups including law enforcement, religious groups, civil rights groups and disability groups. The bill was supported by 31 state Attorneys General and more than 230 other national organizations.
Passage of this legislation sends an important message that America will not abide such violent acts and treatment of others just because of who they are.
I am honored to support and co-sponsor this important legislation.”
