How the hell did I miss this? The Fundies are going to be imploding.
The Senate voted late Thursday night to extend federal hate-crimes protections to people attacked because of their sexual orientation or gender.
In a 62-38 vote, the Senate added the provision to a defense authorization bill that the Senate will continue to debate next week.
Five Republican senators joined Democrats in supporting the bill: Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Richard Lugar (Ind.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Olympia Snowe (Maine) and George Voinovich (Ohio).
Every Democrat voted in favor of the provision with the exceptions of ailing Sens. Edward Kennedy (Mass.) and Robert Byrd (W.Va.), who were both absent.
The House has already approved similar legislation and President Obama has offered his support.
Hate-crimes protections are now provided only to victims of crime who are attacked because of their race, color, religion or national origin.
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