Idaho Congressman Bill Sali voted against appropriations for the National Institute of Standards and Technology and against a hate crimes bill.
HR 1868 Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act — To authorize appropriations for the National Institute of Standards and Technology for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010, and for other purposes.
Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — Yes
Republican Position — Yes
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Passed 385-23
Along with appropriating funds for the National Institute of Standards and Technology for FY2008-FY2010 and other things, it establishes:
- The Technology Innovation Program (TIP) to assist U.S. businesses and institutions of higher education to accelerate development and application of challenging, high-risk technologies that promise widespread economic benefits.
- A TIP Advisory Board.
HR 1592 Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 — To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes.
Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — No
Republican Position — No
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Passed 237-180
Among other things, authorizes the Attorney General to provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or other assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that:
- Constitutes a crime of violence under federal law or a felony under state, local, or Indian tribal law and is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim or is a violation of the state, local, or tribal hate crime laws.
- Directs the Attorney General to give priority for assistance to crimes committed by offenders who have committed crimes in more than one state and to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering the extraordinary investigation or prosecution expenses.
Congressman Sali's response can be found on his website and says:
- The legislation would potentially make particularly heinous crimes subject to lesser penalties simply because the victim belonged to a particular racial, religious or sexual orientation group.
- The legislation could criminalize innocent religious comments, even if the comments are part of a religion’s teaching. “If a church leader were to quote Scripture stating that homosexuality is immoral, he could be liable for a parishioner who misconstrues the message and carries out even a very minor offense,” Sali said.

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