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Senator Harry Reid's bullying tactics paved the way for the Senate to pass the so-called Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill late last night. The cloture vote taken late last night was 63-28, with every Democrat voting for the amendment, except Senators Byrd (WV) and Kennedy (MA), who were not present. Approval of the cloture motion meant that the hate crimes amendment was adopted.

The hate crimes amendment will not become law unless the $680 billion Defense Authorization bill passes and the amendment is reconciled with the version of the hate crimes bill passed by the House. The Senate Defense Authorization bill includes funding for F-22 jets. President Obama has threatened to veto the Defense bill if it funds the F-22.

Read our News Release for more details.

Call to Action on Hate Crimes

See how your Senator voted and then call their office to express your approval or disapproval of their vote.

Call Reid's office and tell him you disapprove of him burying this amendment in the defense bill and forcing a late night vote. Call Reid’s Majority Leader officeat  202-224-5556 and his D.C. Senate office at 202-224-3542.

Committe to take Sotomayor Vote

A Senate Judiciary Committee vote on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court will be held on Tuesday, July 21, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be webcast live online. 

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