The House Judiciary Committee has passed The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (aka The Matthew Shepard Act) by a vote of 15-12. The measure will now move to the House floor for a vote, as soon as next week.
"The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act is an essential step toward giving teeth to our local and national hate crime laws," said cosponsor of the bill, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). "That Americans would be singled out and victimized because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religion is despicable. That our government currently lacks the ability to fully investigate such heinous crimes and prosecute the perpetrators is shameful." Indeed it is, Mr. Nadler!
– Dewitt
I am stunned that 12 people entrusted to act in the best interest of Americans could oppose this.
I am in support of this hate crime legislation for the sole reason that law affects society. Way too many companies still don’t have sexual orientation included in their non-discrimination policies. Even public universities allow student groups to draft charters that exclude equal treatment of students based on sexual orientation. Though this wouldn’t have a direct impact on this particular example, any law that can act as an equalizer in the treatment of all citizens is a step in the right direction.
That being said, a crime is a crime – whether it was committed against a gay man for being gay, or a straight man for being an adulterer. A criminal should be prosecuted based on his actions, not his motivation or intent. We cannot and should not legislate thought.
We should instead focus on legislation like DOMA and ENDA that, I believe, will have a more direct implication on American’s facing discrimination.
I’m against it. We already have laws on the books for assault and murder. What does it matter that the person was gay/black/female? A hate crime law is not going to stop someone from killing a gay man, just like a murder law will not prevent the same thing.
Harsher punishment is a greater deterrent. Care to explain why you don’t think so, Beau?