News

Log Cabin Praises Bi-Partisan Senate Vote on Hate Crimes Bill

September 27, 2007

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans praise the U.S. Senate's bi-partisan vote to approve the Matthew Shepard Act (formerly the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act). The measure passed on a voice vote after clearing a cloture vote by a margin of 60-39. The Senate vote adds the hate crimes measure to the Department of Defense Authorization Bill.

Nine Republicans voted to move the bill forward. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), co-sponsor of the bill, was joined by Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN), Judd Gregg (R-NH), John Warner (R-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Richard Lugar (R-IN), George Voinovich (R-OH), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Arlen Specter (R-PA).

"Log Cabin praises these Republicans for joining Democrats in voting to move this important legislation forward," said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. "This is a common sense bill supported by the vast majority of Americans and the law enforcement community."

"Current law allows local law enforcement agencies to receive federal assistance in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes based on race, religion, and national origin – but not sexual orientation. Modernizing existing law is critical to ensure that our local law enforcement agencies are given every tool available to prosecute violent crime," said Sammon.