Clyburn on DOD Authorization and Hate Crimes Legislation

Statement

Clyburn on DOD Authorization and Hate Crimes Legislation

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today commented on the pending Department of Defense Authorization conference report. It was announced today that the legislation will not include a provision on hate crimes prevention.

"I am pleased we are moving forward with legislation to provide our military with the resources they need, including restoring readiness, a much-deserved troop pay raise, vital improvements to the DOD health system and increased resources for military families. Congress must pass this bill before we adjourn.

"I am also hopeful the Senate can pass a stand-alone hate crimes bill, as the House did nearly seven months ago. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘The time is always right to do what is right.'

"Hate crimes have been perpetrated for centuries. My brothers and sisters, my friends and neighbors, and my colleagues marched on too many streets, sat-in at too many lunch counters, and took the blows of too many batons and water cannons for this Congress to fail to pass this legislation with the ideals of justice and fairness that it embodies.

"I urge my colleagues in the Senate to help us usher into law this critical legislation that provides equal protection for all people, no matter their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation."

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