House Passes H.R. 1592

Log Cabin Republicans news release, via e-mail:

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans praise the House of Representatives bi-partisan passage of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1592). The House passed the legislation by a vote of 237-180, with 25 Republicans voting yes.

This legislation would give law enforcement agencies access to the necessary resources for investigating and prosecuting violent crimes. “Log Cabin thanks Representative Mark Kirk (R-IL) for leading Republican efforts to pass this important legislation,” said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. “We also praise the 25 Republicans voting in favor of this legislation. Their votes send a powerful message that every American should be protected from violent crime.”

“Current law allows local law enforcement agencies to receive federal assistance in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes based on race, religion, and national origin. Modernizing existing law is critical to ensure that our local law enforcement agencies are given every tool available to prosecute violent crime,” said Sammon.

This legislation enjoys wide support, particularly among the law enforcement community. Virtually every major national law enforcement organization in America supports this law including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National District Attorneys Association, and the National Sheriffs’ Association. In all, over 210 civil rights, professional, civic, and religious groups, thirty-one state Attorneys General, and former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh support this proposal. ...

THE 25 REPUBLICANS VOTING FOR H.R. 1592

Judy Biggert (R-IL)
Mary Bono (R-CA)
Mike Castle (R-DE)
Charlie Dent (R-PA)
Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
Phil English (R-PA)
Mike Ferguson (R-NJ)
Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ)
Jim Gerlach (R-PA)
Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD)
Mark Kirk (R-IL)
Randy Kuhl (R-NY)
Ray LaHood (R-IL)
Jim McCrery (R-LA)
Todd Platts (R-PA)
Jon Porter (R-NV)
Deborah Pryce (R-OH)
Dave Reichert (R-WA)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Jim Saxton (R-NJ)
Chris Shays (R-CT)
Greg Walden (R-OR)
Jim Walsh (R-NY)

Comments

[Daniel K]

Yet another vote that doesn't tell all the of story.

None of the Republicans that voted for the final passage of the bill voted for H RES 364 (Providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 1592). They did not want to consider this bill.

Only 11 of them voted against a measure to recommit H R 1592 with instructions. My own congressman, Dave Reichert, voted to recommit.

These 25 Republicans were not voting on principle when they supported this bill, they were voting to save their seat when the next election comes around, and this voting pattern of opposing bills then only voting for them on final passage has been going on all session.

It is about time someone call them out on this political posturing.