US President Barack Obama signed a $680 billion defense authorization bill Wednesday which aims to clean the current defense budget by removing “some of the waste and inefficiency.” The bill also included a new law, an unrelated provision which makes it a federal hate crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

According to AP, over the steep objections of many Republicans in Congress, Democratic supporters attached the hate crimes measure to the defense bill in order to assure its passage after years of trying.

Obama hailed the measure as a step toward change to “help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray,” reports CNN.

The response from the Twitterverse has been overwhelmingly positive – some are calling the bill historic while others are simply applauding Obama:

1. 
   crescentcomp (Auckland, New Zealand) more than ecstatic that President Obama signed the Hate Crimes Bill today… the US is finally moving forward 28 Oct 2009 from web
2. 
   kyrstensinema (Phoenix, AZ) Absolutely amazing speech by President Obama at reception for Hate Crimes bill. 28 Oct 2009 from Tweetie
3. 
   mindschmootz (Undisclosed) “No one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hand of someone they love,” President Barack Obama / Amen. 28 Oct 2009 from web
4. 
   tehchickgamer (Undisclosed) Obama signed legesature that protects LGBT people from hate crimes!!! Yes! I’m so incredibly HAPPY! 29 Oct 2009 from Echofon
5. 
   daylinleach (Wayne, PA) President Obama signs hate-crimes bill. A great day for America. 29 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck
6. 
   loveislove2 (New York) Pres. Obama signs the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Provention Act. 1st time any federal equality measure protecting LGBT rights is law. 29 Oct 2009 from web
7. 
   brittyb23_ (Undisclosed) BOOYEAH. Obama made it official.. HATE CRIMES AGAINST ANY SEXUAL ORIENTATION – BANNED. I absolutely LOVE our president.. 29 Oct 2009 from mobile web
8. 
   dontucallmelady (Undisclosed) A significant and historic step in our journey was achieved today when Obama signed the hate crimes act. 29 Oct 2009 from Twitterrific
9. 
   AndrewLease (New York) By the way, kudos to President Obama on signing into law the long overdue hate crimes legislation regarding sexual orientation 29 Oct 2009 from web

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