“I am pleased the Senate passed the Defense Authorization conference report, which strengthens our national security and provides for our service members and their families as well as our nation’s federal employees.  It also contains an important provision that updates the existing Federal hate crimes law to include crimes motivated by  the victim’s gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.  Passing this provision shows who we are as a nation: that we believe in tolerance and respect the differences of others.  A crime motivated by hate is especially terrible; it is a crime that targets entire segments of our nation, and it should be prosecuted as such.”