The inclusion by Democrats of so-called hate-crimes language in the Defense Authorization bill brought a strong objection from conservatives.
Because of that controversial amendment, 131 Republicans took the unusual action of voting against the entire bill on Thursday. The bill passed. It now goes to the Senate.
Rep. Mike Pence called it "inappropriate" to use a defense bill "as a vehicle for divisive, liberal social policies, wholly unrelated to our country's national security."
"However, the Majority in this Congress has cynically included hate crimes provisions in this legislation that threaten the very freedoms of speech and religion that draw our soldiers into the uniform of this nation," the chairman of the House Republican Conference said.
In urging his colleagues to vote against the bill, Pence added that violent attacks are already illegal, and there is no evidence that the "underlying violent crimes at issue here are not being fully and aggressively prosecuted under current law."
"Therefore, in a practical sense, hate crimes laws serve no practical purpose," the Indiana Republican said, "and instead serve to penalize people for their thoughts, beliefs and attitudes."
Minority Whip Eric Cantor also voted against the bill. The Virginia Republican called it a "political ploy."
"Those who support the federal criminalization of 'hate crimes' should demand that it be removed from this legislation and be considered solely upon its own merit, not that of our national defense," he said. "I believe that all Americans should be protected from violent crime and viewed equally under the law, and the truth of the matter is that all violent crimes are hateful."
It was "partisan politics at its worst," according to Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. He said it classifies people based on their thoughts.
"Punishing 'thought crimes' will infringe on freedom of speech and religious expression, rights endowed to all Americans in the Constitution," he said. "Under this legislation, justice will no longer be equal. Instead, justice will depend on the race, gender, sexual orientation or protected status of the victim, setting up different penalties for the same crime. This 'thought crimes' bill shatters the American tradition of equal justice under the law."
Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, passionately called for the removal of the hate-crimes amendment from the bill.
"While our troops are fighting for freedom, we should stand up and fight for their freedom as well," the Army veteran said.
Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action, praised the representatives who voted against the bill because of the inclusion of hate-crimes language.
"We especially want to thank those who have voted against this direct attack on religious liberty all along the way," she said. "It's encouraging to see so many take a principled stand, even voting against a bill they would ordinarily support."
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