WASHINGTON (July 6, 2009)--A hate crimes bill that includes protections for gays and lesbians was awaiting a vote as the U.S. Senate returned to work Monday.

Before the July 4 recess, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee asked Attorney General Eric Holder whether the law could be used to prosecute a minister who speaks out against homosexuality if a member of that congregation then assaults a gay person.

Holder insisted, "This is a bill to hold people accountable for conduct, not for speech,” but the Rev. Rick Scarborough, president of Vision America, says he and other ministers fear that their preaching would "be scrutinized" and that a hate crimes law would violate their freedom of religion.