The Senate voted 63-28 Thursday night to end discussion on the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which was subsequently adopted by unanimous consent as an amendment to the Department of Defense reauthorization bill.

“The Senate made a strong statement this evening that hate crimes have no place in America,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “This is a victory for all Americans -- particularly those like Judy Shepard, who has endured what no mother should ever have to.” 

Though the amendment garnered three votes more than necessary to reach cloture, the fate of the hate-crimes measure is now partially linked to the $1.75 billion in funding for F-22 fighter jets also included in the DOD legislation.

President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates both oppose the F-22 program and a White House spokesman said the president will not sign a DOD bill that continues to fund the program.  For more, see the article in the Advocate.