White House promises hate crimes bill veto

WASHINGTON (BP)--President Bush will veto legislation to expand hate crimes protections to homosexuals and transgendered individuals, even if he has to reject a defense authorization bill, the White House says.

"The qualifications [in the bill] are so broad that virtually any crime involving a homosexual individual has potential to have hate crimes elements," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto, The Washington Times reported Aug. 7. "The proposals they're talking about are not sufficiently narrow."

The veto promise followed a May policy statement from the White House that said senior advisors in the administration would recommend Bush veto such a bill if it reaches his desk.

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