July 14, 2009 11:49 AM
Hate Crimes Senate Vote Likely This Week
Rev. Ted Pike and the National Prayer Network have informed us that Senate Bill S. 909, the "Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act", is expected to be attached to a critical Defense funding bill and it could be voted on this week--possibly as early as Wednesday, July 15.
In a bold and dramatic gesture, Sen. Patrick Leahy took the floor of the Senate on Monday, July 13, to argue for passage of his hate crimes amendment to S. 1390, "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010."
No vote was taken on Monday, but the office of Sen. Carl Levin, head of the Armed Services Committee, confirmed that the hate bill amendment will be formally proposed and possibly voted on Wednesday.
It's NOW OR NEVER to save free speech for ourselves and our children! We need to stop this "Hate Crime" bill from even being proposed as an amendment on Wednesday.
Call toll-free 1-877-851-6437
or toll 1-202-225-3121
to reach your U.S. Senators and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee (see below).
On June 29, Attorney General Holder stated that the federal hate bill, S. 909, will NOT protect members of America's military. The National Prayer Network video which includes Holder's comments can be viewed here:
But Democrat Senators are expected to attach it as an amendment to the arms bill this Wednesday. the Hate Crimes Bill has NOTHING to do with the military, but would wreak havoc on our first amendment rights should it be passed along with this military funding bill.
Please call your U.S. Senator NOW to let them know your concerns about the Hate Crimes bill--and especially about this stealth tactic to attach it to an important, but completely unrelated bill, to get it passed despite growing opposition.
Also contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee which likely will be voting to add Hate Crimes to S. 1390, "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010." (NOTE: Both Wisconsin Senators are on this committee!)
The Judiciary Committee members are:
Democrats:
Patrick J. Leahy (Ver.), Chairman
Herb Kohl (Wis.)
Dianne Feinstein (Calif.)
Russell D. Feingold (Wis.)
Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.)
Richard J. Durbin (Illin.)
Benjamin L. Cardin (Maryl.)
Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Is.)
Ron Wyden (Ore.)
Amy Klobuchar (Minn.)
Edward E. Kaufman (Dela.)
Arlen Specter (Penn.)
Republicans:
Orrin G. Hatch (Utah)
Charles E. Grassley (Iowa)
Jon Kyl (Ariz.)
Jeff Sessions (Alab.)
Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
John Cornyn (Texas)
Tom Coburn (Okla.)
Please call NOW and continue to contact your Senators as this legislation goes through the U.S. Senate.
