Question of the Week: Defense Authorization
These questions are culled from phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails sent to my Thousand Oaks, Solvang, and Washington offices. Each week I will add another question and answer.
Week ending October 16, 2009
• Question: Why did you vote to expand the definition of hate crimes in a bill to authorize funding for our military?
→ Answer: As you may know, the Democratic leadership in Congress included language in the National Defense Authorization Act to expand the definition of hate crimes to include sexual orientation. I opposed this language because every violent crime committed against anyone is absolutely intolerable and should be punished to the full extent of the law, regardless of the identity of the victim. I also feel that adding this controversial hate crimes provision to a historically bipartisan bill is an affront to our military.
I supported final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, which was approved by the House of Representatives on October 8 by a vote of 281-146, because our armed service members should not be penalized for political actions beyond their control. Please be assured that I am deeply disappointed that our dedicated military personnel could be misused to promote social policy that I oppose. This legislation now awaits final consideration by the Senate before it can be sent to the President. Attached is a letter I signed with other Republican members of Congress to Speaker Pelosi expressing our opposition to the “hate crimes” language.
[Congressional Award] [Ordering a flag] [Tours] [Federal grants]
[Key federal agencies] [Frequently Asked Questions] [Question of the Week]
Contact Elton Newsroom E-mail Newsletters Elton’s Blog Appropriations requests Transportation requests Sitemap
Page Updated