By Brian E. Crowley, Palm Beach Post Political Editor
Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Democratic state Sen. Ron Klein accused Republican U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw of backing "ultra-conservatives" in Congress by voting against expanding hate-crimes legislation. Klein, who is running for Shaw's congressional seat, said Monday that every member of South Florida's congressional delegation voted for legislation last week that would have expanded the federal hate-crimes law to include sexual orientation, disabilities and gender.

Although that is true of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade members of Congress, Klein's media release left out the fact that 14 of Florida's 25 members voted against the proposed amendment to HR3132. The vote on the amendment had 14 Republicans voting against and four Republicans voting in favor. All of Florida's seven Democrats voted for the amendment. In Congress, the vote for the amendment was largely on party lines, with 223 voting for it and 199 voting against the amendment.
"This hate crimes legislation is noncontroversial and a matter of common decency," said Klein, of Boca Raton. "It is unconscionable that in South Florida, Mr. Shaw continues to be a rubber stamp for Tom DeLay and the ultra-conservatives in Congress." DeLay, of Texas, is the House majority leader.

In a statement, Shaw spokeswoman Gail Gitcho said Klein is ignoring the facts and playing politics. "If Ron Klein would have listened to the debate on the amendment, he would not have allowed that release to go out with his name on it," Gitcho said. "Every crime is a hate crime. People in this country are held responsible for their actions, no matter their thoughts or motivations behind the crime."
Here's how the local delegation voted: Mark Foley, R-Jupiter, Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, and Robert Wexler, D-Delray Beach, all voted yes. Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, voted no.