Dems, GOP Playing Politics with Hate Crimes, Gun Control

On June 16, the Senate acted to increase the scope of the hate crimes laws in the U.S. to include crimes committed because of a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identification.

For their part, the Democrats ensured that the measure would pass by attaching it as an amendment to a “must pass” $680 billion defense spending bill. That bill is expected to pass the Senate next week.

Republicans have countered that hate crimes legislation should not be part of a Pentagon spending bill. While Republicans will have chances to alter provisions of the hate crimes amendment, the Democrats’ newfound “super majority” blocked all attempts to remove the amendment from the bill, meaning that it will almost certainly pass in some form.

Republicans also argue that the matter is a matter of states rights and should be handled at the state level. They go on to point out that 45 states have already outlawed hate crimes against gays, lesbians and transgender persons, making federal action largely unnecessary.

However, it seems that many of the same Republicans have no problems attaching other non-defense amendments to the same defense bill, nor do they have a problem overruling state’s rights for other matters.

After the hate crimes amendment is finalized, the Senate will consider a Republican amendment to the same bill that would make it legal for anyone with a concealed weapons permit to carry their weapon in any other state without risk of prosecution.

Sen. John ThuneSen. John Thune, Republican from South Dakota and author of the amendment is quoted on his Senate website as saying “This legislation is needed because some states refuse to honor concealed weapons permits from other states.”

His website also notes that Sen. Thune voted “nay” on the hate crimes amendment.