Still Running Off at the Keyboard

Pro-family organizations are crying foul over the House passing language that would—in an attempt to codify specify rights for homosexuals—punish a criminal for perceived motivation.

The amendment, brought by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., was tacked onto the important and needed Children's Safety Act.

The language stipulates that crimes "motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of the victim" shall be punished by up to life in prison. It also authorizes $10 million to prosecute such crimes.

Thirty Republicans joined 192 Democrats in passing the amendment.

Bob Knight, director of the Culture and Family Institute, said gay activists and their supporters in Congress took advantage of the national distraction of Hurricane Katrina and the Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

"This was a total surprise—a sneak attack," he said. "We got 40 minutes notice that the vote was going to take place, which is hardly time to do anything that matters. And minutes after they passed that amendment, they passed the whole Children's Safety Act.

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