Even before House members debated and passed a bill today to expand hate crimes law, the administration signaled that President Bush would veto it if it ever reaches his desk — delighting Republican lawmakers and social conservatives.

The Republican Study Committee sent a letter to Bush yesterday asking him to threaten to veto the measure.

Proponents of the legislation (HR 1592), which passed 237-180, say current law does not readily allow federal law enforcement officials to work with state and local officials who prosecute hate crimes committed against victims because of their sexual orientation or gender, or bring such cases themselves. The bill would add those definitions to federal law, making them stand-alone hate-crime offenses. Supporters of the legislation say there have been more than 15,000 crimes committed based on sexual orientation reported from 1991 to 2005.

Current federal hate crimes law covers the use or threat of force against a victim based on race, color, religion or national origin that interferes with the victim’s ability to engage in six specific “federally protected” activities.

Conyers’ measure also would eliminate the “federally protected activity” requirement, giving federal law enforcement officers broader leeway both to assist state and local officials and to prosecute hate crimes themselves.