I was told by Sen. Gordon Smith’s office this morning that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wants a vote on the federal hate crimes bill before Congress adjourns for the summer. That means by the end of this week! Smith’s spokesman said the hate bill was introduced several weeks ago as an amendment to the military reappropriations bill only to speed up the process. It could be as easily submitted as a stand alone bill anytime Reid can fit it into the Senate’s busy schedule.
Clearly, we do not necessarily have until September to protest the hate bill. We must immediately overwhelm the Senate with calls. Call your Senator NOW at 1-877-851-6437 toll-free or 1-202-225-3121. For several dozen other Senators who might be persuaded to vote against the hate bill come to http://www.truthtellers.org.