WASHINGTON, D.C. — Minnesota’s congressional delegation split Thursday over the passage of this year’s defense appropriations bill, which included a measure that would expand the definition of federal hate crimes to those committed because of a victim’s sexual orientation.
Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen voted in favor of the legislation along with Democratic Reps. Tim Walz, Betty McCollum, Keith Ellison and Jim Oberstar. Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson joined Republican Reps. John Kline and Michele Bachmann in voting against the bill.
The bill passed 281 to 146. The hate crimes provision was a source of controversy for the Republican leadership, who said that it doesn’t belong in the bill.
The bill still has to be approved by the Senate and then it goes to a conference committee that will reconcile it with the House version.
Check out The New York Times coverage here.
Thought crime.
When can the kiddies sign up for the “Jr. Spies”?