 On March 20, 2007, the Matthew Shepard Act (), a bill which would expand federal hate-crimes legislation to include sexual orientation, was introduced as federal bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Congress, sponsored by Democrat John Conyers with 171 co-sponsors.Judy and her husband Dennis were present at the introduction ceremony.That bill did not pass however, after then-President George W. Bush threatened to veto the bill if it passed.