Murray Lauds Senate Passage of Hate Crimes Legislation as Victory for Equal Rights

“Today’s vote is major victory for equal rights in our country. Guaranteeing equal protection under the law is a basic responsibility for our government, and I’m proud that today an overwhelming, bipartisan majority of Senators agreed. This bill will provide essential tools to federal, state and local governments to investigate and prosecute these abhorrent crimes. That the thousands of people victimized by hate crimes each year receive inadequate protection under the law is simply unconscionable.

“The Senate has now passed this vital legislation twice, and I look forward to the full Congress finally acting to provide equal protection to all Americans. We’ve already waited far too long.”