Late yesterday the Senate overwhelming passed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act by a margin of 63-28, despite objections from many Republicans, including former presidential nominee Senator John McCain. The legislation passed as an amendment to what many consider a must-pass Department of Defense authorization bill. And therein lies the rub. While President Obama supports hate crimes legislation, he may veto the bill because of wasteful spending.

…Obama has told Congress he will veto the defense bill if it includes more money for an F-22 fighter program he is trying to terminate. The House in April passed a similar hate crimes bill, but did it as independent legislation not tied to a larger bill.

Five Republicans voted for it, zero Democrats voted against it.  Full roll call of vote courtesy of Tips-Q:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Judy Shepard announced the introduction of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as part of the Department of Defense Authorization Bill. Watch:

The legislation will be voted on later this week. Please contact your Senator and urge them to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

A source for the Washington Blade has said that hate crimes legislation will likely be attached to a tourism bill which will be voted on by the Senate later this week.

Lawmakers are expected to pass the measure by amending S. 1023, or the Travel Promotion Act, said the source. The bill is geared toward establishing a national travel promotion program to communicate U.S. travel policies and to promote travel to the United States.

“The idea is that that will be an amendment to the tourism bill that’s going to be on the floor this week in the Senate, and we’re thinking that the vote will happen probably [Tuesday] or Wednesday,” said the source.

A press conference is expected later today.

Say it ain’t so Dorothy. Say it ain’t so!