Harry Reid Attaches Hate Crimes Legislation to Defense Appropriations

In an effort to circumvent GOP opposition, the Nevada Democrat has proposed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act as an amendment to a $680 billion defense authorization bill.

“Those of us who oppose this legislation — and it is important legislation — will be faced with a dilemma of choosing between a bill which can harm, in my view, the United States of America and its judicial system and a bill defending the nation,” McCain said. “I don’t think that’s fair to any member of this body.”

Just another reason we need a Congressional rule that requires that amendments to legislation be germane to the bill's stated topic. It will never happen, but it works very well at the state level, such as in Maine.

Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25008.html#ixzz0LR57EsRg