Washington, DC, October 5, 2000 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed "deep disappointment" at the action today by Republican leadership of the House and Senate to strip language which would expand current federal hate crime statutes from a pending defense bill. This provision, the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, had been approved by substantial bipartisan majorities in the Senate in June and in the House last month.

"We deeply regret the Republican leadership’s decision to ignore clear bipartisan congressional majorities in acting to strip the hate crime prevention act from this legislation," said Howard P. Berkowitz, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "This action thwarts the will of the substantial bipartisan congressional majorities that have voted in support of this provision in the Senate and the House." The League leaders said that "for ADL the fight is far from over. We will continue to work with White House officials and congressional supporters in vigorous efforts to ensure that Congress not adjourn without enacting this necessary legislation."

The measure removed from the Department of Defense Authorization Bill today would enable the federal Department of Justice to assist local prosecutions and, where appropriate, investigate and prosecute cases in which the bias violence occurs because of the victim’s race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. Existing law does not provide authority for federal involvement in sexual orientation, gender, or disability cases.

Forty-three states and the District of Columbia have also passed hate crime statutes, many based on model legislation drafted by ADL. The League has been a pioneer in drafting and promoting tougher hate crimes laws across the country.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.