The House Judiciary Committee approved legislation Thursday to extend federal hate crimes law to cover offenses based on sexual orientation.

The measure was approved 15-12 after a two-day debate and the defeat of more than a dozen Republican amendments.

Current federal hate crime law covers the use or threat of force based on race, color, religion or national origin. The new bill also covers crimes committed based on gender identity.

The panel considered more than a dozen GOP amendments Wednesday over the course of five hours, and rejected another five before approving the bill.

Proponents of the measure argue that hate crimes have become more prevalent in recent years. According to FBI statistics, 118,000 hate crimes have been reported since 1991 and Northeastern University’s Institute on Race and Justice estimates that between 7,000 and 9,000 hate crimes occur each year.

Committee Republicans objected to the bill on First Amendment grounds and because they believe it amounts to favoritism toward certain groups.

“Every human being in the world deserves to be equally protected, no matter who they are or who they go to bed with,” shouted Republican Louie Gohmert of Texas, the ranking member on the Crime and Terrorism Subcommittee, in an impassioned speech opposing the measure.

Under the bill, crimes of violence using fire, a gun or a bomb that are motivated by gender or sexual orientation would be punishable by a fine and up to 10 years in prison. Federal prosecutors would have to show a link to interstate commerce and get permission from the attorney general or another senior Justice Department official before bringing such a case.

For several such offenses, including kidnapping and murder, the bill would provide for up to a life sentence in prison.

The House passed similar hate crime legislation in the 110th Congress, but the Senate never considered the measure. House Democrats also tried attaching the measure to a defense authorization bill, but the provisions were ultimately removed in conference.