The White House just released a media advisory saying that the President will be signing the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act into Law on Wednesday. Of course tucked inside that massive bill is the "Hate Crimes Bill". It's official title is the "Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act."
On that media release, The White House says the following event will take place in the East Room of The White House:
Later that day, the President will host a reception to commemorate the enactment of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. He will deliver brief remarks at 6:05 PM, and will be joined by Attorney General Eric Holder, civil rights community leaders and others.
The White House is going to play up this Hate Crimes bill big time with the gay community. This is a HUGE victory for gays across America. It's been a long battle to enact it into law (and to fight against it too)
By the way,is it just me or does it just seem plain wrong that a non-germane bill like this Hate Crimes Bill should be attached to a Defense Authorization Bill? I mean, look, I get it. I know this type of stuff is done all the time by both Republicans and Democrats. But let's face it. this Hate Crimes Bill had to be attached to this Defense Bill because it would have run into problems as a stand alone bill.
The President really can't complain anymore about non-germane amendments in a bill since he's about to sign this unrelated one into law.