Free Republic

Here it is, the "Hate Crimes Bill" that was introduced in Jan 2007 by Sheila Jackson-Lee. It has been reported to the floor of the House as of April 30, so is now technically HR 1592 RH. I'm waiting to hear back from my congressman's office about when it is to be voted on, but acc to house.gov, it's on for Thursday -- listed simply as HR 1592. Find and contact your rep by entering your zipcode -- http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ (Thanks, Juan) I've not found much about this on FR; only these: Critics See 'Slippery Slope' in Reintroduced Federal 'Hate...

'Hate Crimes' Bill Moving to Full House By Susan Jones CNSNews.com Senior Editor April 26, 2007 (CNSNews.com) - The House Judiciary Committee passed a "hate crimes" bill Wednesday night, all 23 Democrats in favor, all 17 Republicans opposed. Every Republican attempt to amend the bill was defeated. Critics call it a "thought crimes" bill. The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 1592) would expand the federal definition of hate crimes to include violence against a person because of his or her "actual or perceived" sexual orientation or "gender identity." Under the bill, people who attack others...

(CNSNews.com) - As the new Democratic majority continues its 100-hour legislative blitz in the U.S. House, one Democrat has quietly reintroduced controversial legislation that would give the federal government more authority over so-called "hate crimes." On Jan. 5, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas introduced a bill that would create federal guidelines for the sentencing of violent criminals who were "motivated by the actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or disability of the victim." It expands the scope of current federal hate crime law, which extends federal oversight to crimes that prevent the victim from engaging...