Senate Achieves Cloture on DoD Conference Report Including Hate Crimes Provision

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today achieved cloture on the Department of Defense Authorization Conference Report of which the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is a part by a vote of 64 to 35.  The Senate will now proceed with debate on the Conference Report followed by a vote on final passage.  Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese released the following statement:

“While there is strong support for the hate crimes provision, today’s cloture vote in the Senate demonstrates that those in the civil rights community need to remain ever vigilant.  While the Senate achieved cloture, it is clear that the opposition remains strong.  We look forward to final passage when the critical hate crimes legislation will be on its way to the President’s desk.”