Hate Crimes Bill in Violation of U.S. Constitution

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Hate Crimes bill being pushed for a vote by leftist Democrats in the U.S. House today is in direct conflict with the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of religion and speech, and of equal protection under the law, according to House Republican Conference Secretary John Carter, who is vigorously lobbying for defeat of the bill.

Carter, a Texas judge for more than two decades before being elected to Congress, says the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, HR 1913, if enacted, would be in clear violation of both the First and Fourteenth Amendments. 

“The sentence for any crime committed against an individual should be identical regardless of any group with which the victim may be identified,” says Carter.  “This proposed law clearly and without ambiguity creates different sentencing guidelines based entirely on the group identity of the victim, giving select individuals greater protection under the law, while denying those protections to individuals not belonging to these politically favored classes. That is unconstitutional.”

“Nor shall any State…deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” – Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Carter says the bill would further put every Christian minister, church leader, and congregation in America in legal jeopardy for teaching Biblical principles on homosexuality and other moral prohibitions.  “This bill’s threat to make churches and church leaders liable for the criminal acts of others is designed to effectively curtail both religious freedom and the right of political free speech.  This bill is a direct assault on the very foundation of our Republic’s individual liberties and rights.”

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech.” – First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Carter warned that every Member of Congress and the President has taken a sworn oath to protect the Constitution, and that a vote for or support of HR 1913 could be a violation of that oath of office.