Jewish groups are hailing House passage of hate-crimes legislation.
The House passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act by a vote of 249-175 on Wednesday. The legislation would permit greater federal involvement in investigating hate crimes and expand the federal definition of such crimes to include those motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.
The Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism all lauded the vote. In a statement, ADL national director Abraham Foxman and national chair Glen Lewy said it was an "essential and necessary step forward in the national effort to counter hate crimes."
"Hate crimes tear at the fabric of our society and fragment communities," they said. "It is crucial that mechanisms are in place for law enforcement to respond effectively when they occur, and for federal authorities to provide assistance when appropriate."
Supporters have been pushing the measure for a decade. Majorities in both houses of Congress have approved the bill in previous years, but it has been eliminated in conference committees when attached to larger bills — under the threat of a possible veto by former President George W. Bush.
With Obama backing the legislation, however, chances for final passage appear stronger.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
