clipped from: www.ebar.com In a telephone press conference Thursday, May 3 following passage in the House of Representatives of a bill to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the federal hate crimes law, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) said it would be an "extremely tall order" to override a threatened veto by President Bush.
The House passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act by a vote of 237-180 Thursday, following a debate that was marked by unusually harsh claims by opponents. Many claimed the bill was intended to muzzle people who claim their hatred of gay people is based on religious beliefs. And many right-wing groups have been calling on Bush to veto the measure once it passes the Senate and any conference committee votes.