WASHINGTON D.C. — The United States Senate, today, voted to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, also known as the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. Today's Senate vote marks the first time in American History that the Congress has passed legislation that would protect or strengthen the civil rights of gay and lesbian Americans.
The measure was included in the conference report to the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2647) that passed the House (281-146) October 8.
The legislation authorizes Defense Department programs, weapon purchases millitary pay raises for fiscal year 2010
The Senate voted 64-35 to limit debate on the final version of the legislation, which the House endorsed on Oct. 8. That paved the way for today's final Senate approval of 68-29.
The legislation will now go to the President who has stated that he will sign the measure into law.
—Staff
