Just minute ago, the U.S. Senate voted 64-35 to invoke cloture on the $680 billion Defense Department Appropriations Bill, that includes the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill. This means the bill is fillibuster-proof. The Senate did decide to allow thirty hours of debate on the bill, so, we’re not home yet. But chances are good that the bill, recently renamed as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, will pass.
Fingers crossed.
Sadly, there will be not formal signing ceremony for the bill, as it is attached to a DOD bill, and given Obama’s inaction on repealing DADT, that would be awkward.
Stay tuned for updates when the final vote happens, later tonight or tomorrow.
Chris Geidner offered an in-depth exam of the bill a few weeks ago: “Hate Crimes Act Makes Conference Report, Death Penalty Gone“