GOP Piles On Gay Hate Crime Provision

Republicans are pouncing on a defense bill passed by the House Thursday that includes a provision expanding the definition of hate crimes.

Congressman Roy Blunt said he voted against the measure because it "contains controversial and unconstitutional hate crimes policy completely unrelated to the defense of the country."

"Creating a new classification of prosecutions based on thought compromises the very freedoms our service men and women fight to protect," Blunt said. "It’s absolutely indefensible that the Defense Authorization Bill, which should fund our troops, is instead being used as a vehicle for controversial social policy," he added.

MODEMS COUNT THE VOTES:

Blunt joined Reps. Todd Akin, Jo Ann Emerson and Sam Graves in voting 'NO'

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer voted 'YES'

"Today, Roy Blunt, Todd Akin, Jo Ann Emerson and Sam Graves chose politics over principle today when they voted against this year’s National Defense Authorization Bill – a bill that includes key funding for America’s military. Missouri Republican Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer and 43 other Republicans voted for the legislation that sets national defense priorities," read the release from the Missouri Democratic Party.

***

FOLLOWING STOUFFER ---

4th District GOP candidate Vicky Hartlzer issued a statement asking why Congressman Ike Skelton "allowed the misuse of national defense legislation."

"Why would you trade the good will of our young men and women serving in our military in order to pass a radical gay-rights bill on their backs, and behind our backs?," Hartzler asked.

Hartzler's release cites a Sept. 28th statement by Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "I thank Mr. Skelton for his commitment to including the hate crimes prevention provisions in this bill," Pelosi began her remarks.

SKELTON 'LUKEWARM' ABOUT PROVISION:

Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, was lukewarm about the inclusion of the hate crimes provision in the defense bill, according to The Washington Blade.

He said he would have preferred that Congress pass a hate crimes measure as a standalone bill, but said the bill protects free speech and includes a provision prohibiting attacks on U.S. troops based on their service. "Whatever one's position on hate crimes, I believe the enormous good in the bill merits support in the House," Skelton said.

Yesterday, Sen. Bill Stouffer, another 4th District candidate, criticized Skelton for supporting "the homosexual agenda."

PLUS: MCCLATCHY ASKS, WHY IKE?

"There is an aura of invincibility that surrounds Skelton," said Dave Wasserman, a congressional analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. "However, if health care and spending and the deficit are on voters' minds in 2010, the election becomes a one-day clearance sale that has nothing to do with Skelton's record."

Read the rest HERE.

McCaskill Probes Army Nominee on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

During his confirmation hearing for Secretary of the Army Thursday, Sen. Claire McCaskill asked Republican John McHugh about his views on the ban on gays serving openly in the military.

The Advocate notes McCaskill said, "I think it’s important we get that on the record at this juncture."

John McHugh said the military's gay ban was "a serious issue" that he has not addressed since it was implemented in 1993. "The reality is the president has made very clear, and I have not talked to the president directly, but I have talked to high officials in the administration, and I have no doubt the president is going to press forward with his intent to change that policy -- to whatever degree remains to be seen. I think he would like a full reversal," he said.

"It’s also without question that Secretary Gates has begun a process of what he describes as ‘softening’ that policy; whatever that may mean remains to be seen," McHugh said of the Defense Department's review of how the policy is currently being implemented.

Just last week, McCaskill took some heat from gay groups about a comment she made on why she voted against expanding a conceal and carry law.

McCaskill Forced to Clarify Gay Gun Gaffe

Under fire from a conservative gay group, Sen. Claire McCaskill has clarified the reason she voted against expanding a conceal and carry gun law this week.

McCaskill voted against the amendment, and explained her reasoning by saying, "this is a foot in the door that would require, for example, the laws in Vermont on gay marriage to be enforced in Missouri. It just kills me, these guys, that they would pound the tables about states’ rights until, situationally, they don’t want to talk about states’ rights anymore."

Jimmy LaSalvia, executive director of GOProud, which endorsed the gun amendment, said the comment was pure political calculation, according to Advocate.com.

"Claire McCaskill should be ashamed of herself for using baseless antigay scare tactics to justify her vote against the conceal carry amendment,” he said. McCaskill's Republican counterpart, Sen. Kit Bond, voted to pass the gun measure, which coincidentally would have been attached to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act that Senator McCaskill cosponsored.

McCaskill's office issued the following statement Thursday to clarify her remarks: "In talking about my recent vote against the gun provision offered in the Senate, I wasn’t clear when I stated that my vote against that provision was because it came down to a state's rights. I was expressing my frustration in that some who argue that states shouldn’t respect the laws, certificates, or permits from other states when it’s convenient, like with gay marriage, but then argue that they should when it’s convenient on another issue, like gun rights. They can’t have it both ways," McCaskill said.

Skelton Promises Hearings on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

The Hill reports that House Armed Services Committee Chair Ike Skelton has agreed to hold hearings on the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding gays in the military.

Skelton's decision was reportedly, in part, based on pressure from fellow Democrats.

"On Thursday, freshman Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) challenged and urged House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton to take action on already existing legislation—the Military Readiness Enhancement Act—which repeals the ban," wrote The Hill. "As a consequence, Skelton -- who played a major role in crafting Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” -- promised to hold hearings to weigh the implications of a repeal."

BUT: Some Senators, like Michigan's Carl Levin believe it will take White House leadership to overturn the ban.

AND: Service members and veterans marched to the White House on Saturday in order to protest the law that bans openly gay people from serving in the military.

Skelton A Potential Hurdle to Overturning "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Rep. Ike Skelton supports continuing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding gays in the military, despite President Obama's pledge to overturn it.

FOX reports that sources say a potential roadblock to the change at the committee level is Armed Services Committee chairman, Ike Skelton. Skelton supports a review, but he also continues to support Don't Ask Don't Tell, his spokeswoman said.

A Congressional Aide is quoted saying Skelton "isn't there yet."

AND: Midwestern Dems Could Be A Problem

"I still think we have significant issues with a lot of the Midwestern Democrats being on the fence," an said to the Boston Globe, adding that some Democratic senators are considered "shaky." Some of those include Evan Bayh of Indiana, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, and Ben Nelson of Nebraska - all representing states with significant conservative constituencies. All three declined to provide their views.

Some doubt Obama will even attempt to address the issue right now with so many other more pressing issues on his plate.

Anti-Gay Discrimination Bill Gains Traction

A push to end workplace discrimination against gays and lesbians has failed many times over the last decade, but could gain new traction with Democrats in control of Congress.

Kansas City Democrat Rep. Emanuel Cleaver is moving a bill in the House that would prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Missouri is among 31 states where it remains legal to fire someone or refuse to hire someone if they are gay.

This measure would make it illegal for businesses with 15 or more employees to make decisions about hiring, firing, promoting or paying an employee based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Churches and the military would be exempt.

While Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., has not seen the specifics of the bill, she said she has been "very supportive in the past and I would continue to be supportive of any legislation that ferrets out discrimination."

Missouri's senior senator, Republican Kit Bond, said he would examine the bill "if and when" it comes before the Senate.

A House panel is set to take up the bill later this month.