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The Coronavirus epidemic has become a story of numbers. How many sick; how many respirators are needed; how many people are unemployed; and sadly, how many have died. These numbers drive public policy. Without this data, officials would be struggling even more to get the necessary supplies and services to the affected areas.
While we are all consumed with our new world at home, separated from work and family, we still need to make time to fill out the 2020 Census form.
The Census is important. It ensures that our democracy is working for us. "Our whole representative democracy is based on it," said a professor at Penn State's Population Research Institute. Representation is based on population. Therefore, an up-to-date tally is essential to ensure that each state gets the right number of representatives in government.
Based on the last census, eight states gained representatives in Congress while ten states had fewer representatives.
Every ten years the U.S. Census Bureau undertakes the mammoth task to actually count the people living in our country. Our nation's founders thought this task was so important that in the Constitution they empowered Congress to take the census.
The 2020 Census is also important because the data gathered from it will determine how federal funding will be distributed to programs that directly impact each of us and our communities such as funding for roads, schools, and infrastructure projects.
Last year, Trump tried to use the Census as a political tool by adding a citizenship question. This would have resulted in lower response rates from Latinx who are a growing political and Democratic force. Undercounting Latinx would give Republicans an unfair advantage in redistricting for House seats, which occurs following the completion of the census. The Supreme Court blocked Trump from having this question added.
It is our civic responsibility to fill out the Census. You can even do it online. You have until April 27 to complete the form. But, don't wait. Click here to begin.
This will be one of the most important activities you will do all year besides voting.
You don't count unless you are counted. #CensusMatters.
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This Is What Trump Is Doing in the Middle East While You're Distracted by Coronavirus
And still the virus shrouds Donald Trump's mischief in the
Middle East.
First it was his sly retreat from Iraq
; now it's his cozy military exercises with the United Arab Emirates
- famous in song and legend as a former Saudi ally in the bloody Yemen war - and his cut of $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan
because its presidential feuding may hamper another deal with his newly established chums in the Taliban. And then there's
Iran
...
.
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Man Planning to Bomb Missouri Hospital Killed, FBI Says
A man under federal investigation in a potential domestic terrorism case was shot and killed Tuesday during an FBI operation to arrest him.
The suspect, who hasn't been identified by authorities, was the subject of a months-long investigation into alleged white supremacist activity, and recently had made threats the FBI took seriously.
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The Coronavirus Becomes an Excuse to Restrict Abortions
Last week, Ohio's attorney general ordered abortion clinics in the state to stop performing most surgical abortions. On Monday, the attorney general of Texas issued a stricter directive, applying to "any type of abortion that is not medically necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother" and threatening jail for providers.
And other states may soon join them
.
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Trump's Weekly Cabinet Bible Study Leader Blames Coronavirus on Gay People and Environmentalists
The minister who hosts a weekly bible study session for President Trump's Cabinet has an opinion about the origins of the coronavirus. According to Ralph Drollinger, it's just another form of God's wrath in response to an increasingly progressive nation.
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Real ID Deadline Delayed Due to Coronavirus
Looming over many Americans' plans this summer was one dreaded trip-to the DMV. New federal government ID requirements for domestic flights introduced in 2005 meant that Americans needed to have new forms of identification that are supposed to be counterfeit-resistant. The deadline for obtaining one was Oct. 1. However, governors around the country in the past week have been clamoring for the deadline to be extended as social distancing meant people couldn't crowd in at the DMV and many state governments could not process the applications.
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Is Campaigning Possible During a No-Contact Pandemic?
"It is certainly a new landscape, when one typically thinks of meeting voters on their turf at fish fries, parades, town halls, even the local gym and the school, and - poof - that is all gone." Politics in normal times is a contact sport. Candidates attend endless events, hoping to convince voters of their good nature and great ideas by looking them in the eye, shaking their hands and kissing their babies. Now even family members aren't attending weddings.
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Biden Has Talked With Obama About Possible Vice Presidential Pick
Speaking to over 70 Georgia donors on a fundraising call, Biden said he and Obama recently agreed that his vice presidential nominee must have the political experience to step in as president if he were unable to serve.
"The most important thing - and I've actually talked to Barack about this - the most important thing is that there has to be someone who, the day after they're picked, is prepared to be president of the United States of America if something happened," Biden said.
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The Dangers of Relying on Philanthropists During Pandemics
When the government fails us, one temptation is to look to rich people like Bill Gates. And sure, private funding of global public health is valuable. But the demands of fighting a pandemic are much bigger than the capacity of even our wealthiest private philanthropists. The Gates Foundation gave away roughly $5 billion last year. Trump recently freed up $50 billion to address the coronavirus pandemic. (This is to say nothing of the $2 trillion the president is seeking in order to provide direct relief to taxpayers.)
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Nancy Pelosi's Birth 80 Years Ago Made Headlines, Too, as Perils Gathered for the Nation
Speaker Nancy Pelosi celebrated her 80th birthday Thursday getting ready to shepherd the biggest economic bill in history through the U.S. House she leads. The Senate version of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill turned out to be 880 pages long, presumably a coincidence and not a tribute.
Reporters greeted her with a chorus of "happy birthdays" when she arrived for a briefing in the Capitol. "I'm not celebrating, though, until I can hug my grandbabies," she replied with a smile. "Waiting for that day."
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Introducing JACII, a JAC group for young professionals, advocates, and those young at heart who are looking to get involved. Groups have started in Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Events will feature elected officials and speakers in lively settings. JACII is by and for young people. Now is the perfect time to get involved.
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Know someone who would be interested in joining or hosting a meeting? Let us know at info@jacpac.org. We will be happy to help organize a JACII in your city.
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This pandemic is a test of our faith in our founding doctrine of 'We the People.' If we focus on the we--and think about the many not just the one--then we can save lives & beat this virus."
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
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Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs (JACPAC) is a pro-Israel PAC with a domestic agenda. We support a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and advocate for reproductive health and the separation of religion and state and incorporate other issues of importance to the Jewish community, including gun violence prevention and climate change. In addition to providing financial support for U.S. Senate and House campaigns, JACPAC educates our membership with outreach events designed to inform and activate their participation in the political process.
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Paid for by Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs. Contributions or gifts are not tax deductible. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in an election cycle. Corporate contributions and contributions from non-US citizens who are not lawfully admitted for permanent residence are prohibited. All contributions by individuals must be made from personal funds and may not be reimbursed or paid by another person.
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