Bush Vows to Veto Hate-Crime Expansion for Gays

(Hat tip: Custos Fidei)

From The Washington Times:

President Bush is committed to vetoing the latest effort to expand federal "hate crimes" laws to include sexual orientation, even if it means sending a defense authorization bill back to Congress, the White House said.

"The qualifications [in the bill] are so broad that virtually any crime involving a homosexual individual has potential to have hate crimes elements," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.

"The proposals they're talking about are not sufficiently narrow."

***
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, attached the crime measure to the defense authorization bill, which Democrats are expected to use as a vehicle to try to alter war policy.

A coalition of religious leaders, many of them black Christian pastors, have lobbied the White House to reject the amendment, saying it could lead to suppression of free speech and religious expression.

"The bill is not about crime prevention or even civil rights. It's about outlawing peaceful speech — speech that asserts that homosexual behavior is morally wrong," said Chuck Colson, a former aide to President Nixon who now runs a Christian ministry to prisoners.

[More]

My Comments:
"A coalition of religious leaders, many of them black Christian pastors, have lobbied the White House to reject the amendment, saying it could lead to suppression of free speech and religious expression."

Meanwhile, across town from the White House, the sound of crickets chirping could be heard at 3211 4th Street, N.E.


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
"Hate Speech" Codes Are So "Gay"

"Hate Crimes" Vote Scheduled on National Day of Prayer Angers Christians

"Hate Crimes" Bill Moving to Full House; Seen as Effort to Silence Christians on Homosexuality