The definition of the federal hate crimes law might finally get expanded to include sexual orientation, as the House of Representatives approved the bill yesterday, which was an attachment of the $680 billion Defense Authorization Bill. The Senate could vote on the bill as soon as next week. Obama has said he will sign it into law -- unlike his predecessor, and Pelosi said this legislation has been on her agenda for two decades.

Republicans, who are normally staunch supporters of defense bills, are opposing this one, referring to it as a "thought crimes" bill. "This is radical social policy that is being put on the defense authorization bill, on the backs of our soldiers, because they probably can't pass it on its own," House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio said. (How about the backs of soldiers affected by Don't Ask Don't Tell, including a disproportionate amount of women?)