NATIONAL

Some fear Bush will accept hate crimes measure
HRC ‘cautiously optimistic’ as conservatives object

JOSHUA LYNSEN
Friday, October 05, 2007

Some conservatives were increasingly nervous this week that President Bush would accept the gay-inclusive hate crimes measure Congress added to the defense authorization bill.

It was not immediately clear whether Bush would sign or veto the legislative package, which passed the Senate 92-3 on Monday, when it reaches his desk sometime later this month.

Peter LaBarbara, president of the anti-gay Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, said the veto that conservatives once expected is no longer seen as a foregone conclusion.

“Everybody’s counting on a veto,” he said. “Although if you read the actual statement, it wasn’t a promise of a veto.”

In an executive office statement released this spring, administration officials wrote that if the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act “were presented to the president, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.”

LaBarbara said the statement pacified many conservative groups at the time, but is now recognized as being not “as strong” as the veto threats Bush executed.

He noted an executive office statement regarding the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act explicitly stated that if it “were presented to the president, he would veto the bill.” Bush vetoed that bill in June.

To date, Bush has used his veto pen on four bills. All four vetoes were preceded by the more explicit threat.

LaBarbara said some conservatives are thus “worried” that the softer veto threat could indicate Bush may accept the hate crimes measure as part of the defense authorization bill.

“I have seen some groups talking about a need to call the White House on this,” LaBarbara said. “And we are, too.”

Brad Luna, a Human Rights Campaign spokesperson, said such apprehension shows gay advocates used the right strategy on Capitol Hill.

“I think what potentially is some nervousness from the other side is an affirmation of what our legislative strategy was all along,” he said. “This was the best opportunity to get this bill through Congress and to the president’s desk. We are in a good place right now.”

The hate crimes provision, introduced as an amendment to the defense bill in July but not approved until last week, helps states prosecute violent attacks on gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.

It is one of 579 amendments added to the defense authorization bill and the only one lacking a clear connection to defense or military operations. Other amendments call for such things as a pay raise for military personnel, $23.6 billion to build vehicles resistant to roadside bombs and hundreds of other items.

Congressional observers said it’s not unusual for a bill of this magnitude to have so many amendments.

Bush could veto the omnibus bill in protest of any component, and Congressional Quarterly reported that the president opposes two bill provisions that pertain to how intelligence agencies provide Congress with information.

“There is a series of things that the administration’s senior advisers would recommend a veto on,” White House spokesperson Dana Perino told that publication.

While peripheral to the defense bill, the hate crimes measure is touted by Senate supporters as an appropriate addition because both initiatives are aimed at combating terrorist acts.

“We cannot fight terror abroad and accept terror at home,” said Republican Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon.

Opponents said the addition endangers a defense bill that’s urgently needed.

“I think it’s shameful we’re changing the subject to take care of special interest legislation at a time like this,” said Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.

To reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the authorization bill, it next goes into conference. It then goes to the White House, likely sometime later this month.

Bush must accept or reject the package in its entirety.

A veto of the bill would not be without precedent. The Washington Times reported that former presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton each vetoed previous defense authorization bills for various reasons.

If the bill is vetoed, Congress could rework and resubmit the bill, or attempt to override the veto.

Luna said if Bush vetoes the bill specifically to counter the hate crimes measure, there are not sufficient votes in Congress to override.

Clyde Wilcox, a Georgetown University government professor, said Democrats are nonetheless wise to test Bush on the hate crimes measure.

“I’d make him veto it,” he said. “It’s a popular bill. You’re not going to get worse than the status quo, so I’d definitely test him on this one.”


Americans back measure

Polls show most Americans support hate crimes legislation inclusive of sexual orientation.

A national Gallup Poll in May shows 75 percent of Democrats, 69 percent of Independents and 60 percent of Republicans favor the measure. The same poll shows 74 percent of moderates and 57 percent of conservatives favor it.

“The American people overwhelmingly support hate crimes legislation, and that includes a majority of Republican voters,” Luna said. “The simple fact is there are a lot of audiences — Capitol Hill, the American people, Republican voters — who believe this legislation should be signed into law.”

Jon Hoadley, executive director of the gay partisan group National Stonewall Democrats, agreed.

“We urge President Bush to stand with the American people, who have demonstrated their strong support for this legislation,” he said, “and ultimately sign this bill into law once it reaches ...

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