A new House bill recently introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, intends to add white supremacy as a motive for hate crimes, and also target those making comments or posts online which lead to a hate crime.
According to the text of House Bill 61, bearing the title of the "Leading Against White Supremacy Act of 2023," a person could be charged with conspiracy to commit a hate crime if "at least one of whom engaged in the planning, development, preparation, or perpetration of a white supremacy inspired hate crime; and at least one of whom published material advancing white supremacy, white supremacist ideology, antagonism based on 'replacement theory,' or hate speech that vilifies or is otherwise directed against any non-White person or group, and such published material — was published on a social media platform or by other means of publication with the likelihood that it would be viewed by persons who are predisposed to engaging in any action in furtherance of a white supremacy inspired hate crime, or who are susceptible to being encouraged to engage in actions in furtherance of a white supremacy inspired hate crime."
Jackson Lee introduced the legislation Jan. 9, but it apparently has little chance of passing through the Republican-controlled majority.
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., criticized the bill on Twitter over the weekend, arguing it violates the First Amendment.
"In case you weren't aware of what the Democrats were prioritizing in the 118th Congress, just take a look," Boebert wrote on Saturday. "When they're not bankrupting our country, they're busy making a mockery of the First Amendment."
Jackson Lee responded directly to Boebert with a lengthy tweet of her own.
"Lauren, you would think now that you're in the majority, you would actually consider reading the bills you tweet about. Or, maybe even hire someone who could help you. This tweet is inflammatory and fact-less and you know it," Jackson Lee wrote.
"For starters, it took me about 32 seconds of reading the article you cited to understand that none of you know what you are talking about. H.R. 61 simply deals with adding white supremacy to a list of reasons to be convicted of a hate crime," added Jackson Lee.
The bill however, extends a potential criminal prosecution to a person who posts something against a non-white person that leads to a crime, according to the legislation.
"Mass shootings and other hate crimes motivated by white supremacy have been increasing in frequency and intensity," the text of the bill concludes.
"These heinous and virulent crimes are inspired by conspiracy theories, blatant bigotry, and mythical falsehoods such as 'replacement theory.' All instances must be prevented and severe criminal penalties must be applied to their perpetrators."
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