Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Protection Act Moves to Senate
Thanks to Feministing for tipping us off to the House's passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Protection Act and to Rep. Virginia Foxx's testimony denying that Matthew Shepard was killed because he was gay.  The Shepard Act now heads to the Senate.  The Feminist Daily News describes the bill:

The bill would amend existing federal hate crimes laws to include crimes where the victims were targeted on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, and disability. It also would eliminate a requirement that the victim was engaged in one of several "federally protected activities" at the time of the crime in order to be protected by these laws. Previous versions of the bill faced various legislative roadblocks under the Bush administration.

Indiana Legislature Wraps Up Session
The Indiana legislature is wrapping up its session; one bill relevant to women's health and reproductive rights passed, and another failed, the Courier Press reports.  Passed: "Lawmakers passed a proposal to lengthen prison terms for people who murder or attempt to murder a pregnant woman and cause the loss of her pregnancy."  But a bill to require doctors who provide abortion services to have admitting privileges at area hospitals failed after Democrats added a provision to provide $28 million for a cervical and breast cancer screenings for women.

Tennessee Abortion Bill Advances in House
The Tennessee bill that would codify that the state constitution right to privacy does not protect abortion rights (the State Supreme Court previously found that it did) has moved forward again, the Daily Times reports.  The bill has already passed the Senate, and has now been approved by the House Budget Subcommittee.  It's not headed for a full House vote.

Lugar Will Back Dawn Johnsen
Key Republican Sen. Richard Lugar will support the nomination of Dawn Johnsen, Politico reports.  The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette adds:

He is the first Republican to publicly declare his backing for Dawn Johnsen, whose selection to head the Office of Legal Counsel has grown into a fight about abortion rights and counterterrorism practices...Lugar's support does not guarantee the Senate will confirm Johnsen. Sixty votes are needed to stave off a filibuster, and vote-counters say they are aware of close to 60 "yes" votes for Johnsen, but they are not declaring victory. One Democrat - Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson - has said he will vote against Johnsen."