House Passes Hate Crime Bill - Jewish Groups Rejoice

Jewish groups are hailing House passage of hate-crimes legislation.

The House passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act by a vote of 249-175 on Wednesday. The legislation would permit greater federal involvement in investigating hate crimes and expand the federal definition of such crimes to include those motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.

The Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism all lauded the vote. In a statement, ADL national director Abraham Foxman and national chair Glen Lewy said it was an "essential and necessary step forward in the national effort to counter hate crimes."

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