Will Congress Again Pass the Matthew Shepard Act?

While the Republicans are spewing hate -- at President Obama's budget and recovery plan; at their disbelief that the same free market that ushered in our economic decline cannot so readily fix it; at or toward Michael Steele or Rush Limbaugh, take your pick -- we have an actual bill in Congress that deals with some real hatred and it's time we passed it again now that we have a president who is on record as willing to sign it.

This, below, is some boilerplate from the Human Rights Campaign in support of the Matthew Shepard Act. (According to the Library of Congress website, there are actually four written versions of the bill -- you can see them here.) We all know the Party of No will rage against the bill, but their lack of a moral compass is their problem.

Please give this important legislation your unwavering support.

Hi,

Have you heard that the hate crimes bill is coming before Congress again?

I hope you'll join me in sending a message to Congress: we can't wait any longer for a federal law to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans from violent hate crimes. Take action at: http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/pass_shepard

Ordinary people are living in fear for their safety and their lives every day, in small towns and big cities. Hate crimes against LGBT people are on the rise, but the federal government has no direct authority to investigate, prosecute or help local law enforcement crack down.

We can't let this continue. We can't let friends and neighbors become targets for violence simply because of who they are.

Congress passed the hate crimes bill in 2007, but because of George Bush's veto threat, it never became law. And now, right-wing extremists are once again making outrageous claims that the bill would criminalize preachers, end free speech, and so on.

Will you help make sure their lies aren't the only things members of Congress are hearing about this bill? Please click below to send a note urging Congress to pass the Matthew Shepard Act.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/pass_shepard

Thanks for your help.

Sphere: Related Content