Email I received from Senator Reid in response to SB 909

This is a response from Senator Reid on SB 909. I sent him an email last week when I learned that SB 909 had been attached to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (S. 1390) as an amendment or rider. This means, SB 909 will probably pass because SB 1390 is on National Defense (can you believe this bill is 592 pgs. long? Who has time to write and read these bills?) which I can't see the Senate not passing it. So, here is his email.



July 22, 2009

Mr. John Billett
2688 Rice Road
Fallon, Nevada 89406

Dear Mr. Billett:

Thank you for contacting me. I appreciate hearing from you. As you may know, the Senate recently approved the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (S. 1390) by a vote of 63-28. This measure was originally introduced on April 28, 2009 by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act expands the groups protected under current hates crimes law (which covers race, color, religion, and national origin) to include disability, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. In addition, this bill provides the Department of Justice with the authority to assist state and local jurisdictions in prosecuting violent hate crimes, or to take the lead in such prosecutions where local authorities are unwilling or unable to act. Finally, this bill would expand current law to allow for prosecution of a hate crime even if the crime did not take place when the victim was engaged in a federally protected activity.

It is important to note that hate crimes laws punish only violent physical acts - not beliefs or thoughts. The First Amendment prohibits the punishment of speech, and these laws do not punish or prohibit expressions of criticism or even hatred toward any group. The Act includes language to make these constitutional protections clear, stating that nothing in the Act "shall be construed to prohibit any constitutionally protected speech, expressive conduct or activities (regardless of whether compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief), including the exercise of religion protected by the First Amendment and peaceful picketing or demonstration." In addition, the Senate adopted a 2nd degree amendment introduced by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) that would prohibit the provisions of this amendment from being applied in a way that violates the First Amendment rights or burdens any exercise of religion that is not intended to incite violence (S.Amdt. 1610). Enactment of this hate crimes legislation will not in any way ban the lawful expression of deeply held religious beliefs. The National Defense Authorization Act is still under consideration by the Senate, and I will be sure to keep your views in mind as the process moves forward.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. For more information about my work for Nevada, my role in the United States Senate Leadership, or to subscribe to regular e-mail updates on the issues that interest you, please visit my Web site at http://reid.senate.gov. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

My best wishes to you.

Sincerely,
HARRY REID
United States Senator
Nevada

HR:nt


Here is my response to his email!

July 22, 2009

Honorable Senator Harry Reid,

Thank you for your response in regards to SB 909 and your explanation. I have a couple of issues that I would like to share even though your explanation was quite clear. First, will there be First Amendment freedom of speech protection to a street preacher who may be preaching against homosexuality? This is a concern of mine because there are many street preachers throughout our country who will continue to speak out against homosexuality. Also, is a preacher who speaks against homosexuality from the pulpit and someone in the congregation is offended by his words and reports the comments to the authorities as hate speech, will the First Amendment protect this speech? In my personal opinion, the First Amendment does protect this speech. However, my second issue, isn't this the first step towards total acceptance of the homosexual agenda in this country and curtailing religious freedom? This is a concern of many Bible believing Christians. It is not a matter of speaking against the person but against the action of homosexuality and Bible teaching concerning marriage.

Sincerely,

John Billett