H.R. 2647 Hate Crimes Bill Passed

A Christian minister who has spent time in jail because of a state “hate crimes” law is warning that the federal legislation, now pending on President Obama’s desk, is “one of the most dangerous pieces of federal legislation in the history of our nation.”

The comment comes from Michael Marcavage of Repent America. He was among a group that became known as the “Philadelphia 11″ that made national headlines in 2004.

That was when the Christians, ministering at a homosexual festival, were accused under a state “hate crimes” law.

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The bill, H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act, include the “hate crimes” plan that “expands criminal penalties against anyone who harms an individual based on ‘gender identity’ or ’sexual orientation,’ thus posing a serious threat to biblical evangelism and active stances against the sin of homosexuality’.

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Dems Sneak Hate Crimes Bill In Defense Initative

Democrats are expected to sneak the hate crimes bill through the Senate as early as tomorrow after they offered it as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill.

The Senate approved the same hate crime legislation last year as part of the military funding bill, but it was never reconciled with the House’s bill.

The current House version – H.R. 1913, or the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 – was passed April 29 and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

Now the Senate is considering the military appropriations bill, or S.1390, and the Senate “hate crimes” act, or S. 909, may be passed as an amendment soon.

The “hate crimes” legislation now faces its best chance in years to become federal law.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced Senate consideration of S.909, or the “Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act” on Tuesday.

“For the last decade, Matthew Shepard’s name has been associated with hate crimes. When this bill passes, his name will thereafter be associated with justice,” Reid said, according to a Politico report.

Sen. John McCain, R.-Ariz, blasted the hate crimes amendment today, saying it is unrelated to the defense bill

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HR 1913 Hate Crimes Bill Gains Approval of House Panel

The House Judiciary Committee approved legislation Thursday to extend federal hate crimes law to cover offenses based on sexual orientation.

The measure was approved 15-12 after a two-day debate and the defeat of more than a dozen Republican amendments.

Current federal hate crime law covers the use or threat of force based on race, color, religion or national origin. The new bill also covers crimes committed based on gender identity.

The panel considered more than a dozen GOP amendments Wednesday over the course of five hours, and rejected another five before approving the bill.

The bill, H.R. 1913, is named the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. As of Tuesday the bill already had 42 co-sponsors. The bill was introduced into the House on April 2 by U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

“All freedom loving Americans must voice their opposition to this bill,” said Dr. Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission. “If this bill passes it lays the foundation for censoring Christians. In other countries, Like in Canada and Sweden, where these types of hate crime laws have been implemented, pastors and Christians have been jailed and fined for their faithful adherence to the biblical values.”