The U.S. House voted Wednesday to create a new class of crimes based on the traits of the victim, including "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."
What went unreported is more concerning: The legislation could create special protections for pedophiles. Democrats voted down an amendment to the bill that would have excluded pedophilia from the definition of “sexual orientation.”
“If a mother hears that their child has been raped, and she slaps the assailant with her purse, she is now gone after as a hate criminal because this is a protected class," said Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas.
Under the "hate-crimes" legislation, pastors could be prosecuted for preaching the biblical view of homosexuality. Similar laws have been used to prosecute religious speech in the U.S. and abroad.
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., introduced a similar bill in the Senate on Tuesday.
