October 25, 2019
WEEK IN REVIEW
What did the Democrats do this week?

On Tuesday, the House passed the Corporate Transparency Act, which will shine a light on dark money in our democracy. The bill will require companies to disclose their true owners. It will prevent Russian oligarchs and foreign dictators from using shell companies in the U.S. to launder their illicit wealth.

The House is prepared to take action on election interference even though the President refuses to do anything. On Wednesday, the House passed the Shield Act (Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy). This legislation aims to prevent foreign interference in our elections and defend the integrity of our voting system.

What did the Republicans do this week?

GOP Representatives aimed to create drama and headlines this week when they "stormed" the House Intelligence Committee's closed-door deposition to protest the impeachment inquiry. Their antics caused a five-hour delay, but did not stop the Democrats' pursuit of truth and justice.

The Senate again blocked election security bills. But they did do something in the Senate; Mitch McConnell's Senate paused from their fervent push to confirm judges to confirming an appointee to the UN, Andrew Bremberg.

Bremberg will serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations office in Geneva. Bremberg has said, " I am pro-life, I believe that all human life is sacred, and that human life begins at conception." Asked if rape victims should have access to abortion, he replied, "I don't believe that abortion is a moral solution to any problem."

He has no experience in international affairs. But Bremberg is ready to carry-out Trump's attack on reproductive rights. This includes a global gag rule that slashes funding for overseas nongovernmental organizations that perform abortions or even offer counseling on the matter; cut funding for other international women's sexual and reproductive health programs; and end funding to the UN Population Fund.

What do WE need YOU to do this week and next week?

Support JAC candidates who will protect the sanctity of our elections and further our democratic values here and abroad.
 

Not sure who to donate to? Make a donation to JAC and we will use it to support our candidates. 
JAC AROUND TOWN
JAC held it's first virtual Talking Points program featuring WI State Dem Chair Ben Wikler. Ben discussed the critical role WI will play in the 2020 elections and ways JAC can get involved. 
Ben Wikler via video conference.
JAC members at Talking Points with Ben Wikler
Nancy Eisenberg brought her sister Joan Van Hoof.
Lisa Imber and Jean Meadows.
ISRAEL
Netanyahu Says He Can't Form a Government After Election Deadlock          
    
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he could not form a new government after President Reuven Rivlin asked him to try in the wake of a deadlocked election.Netanyahu's decision to cut short his efforts leaves the country's political future - and his own - uncertain. The opportunity to form a stable government will now fall to his rival Benny Gantz, who leads the main opposition Blue and White party.  
Continued Reading

ANTI-SEMITISM & BDS
First Tree of Life Anniversary: American Jews See Rising Anti-Semitism in Alarming New Survey

As we prepare to   to mark the first anniversary of that attack this weekend, American Jews think anti-Semitism is growing worse. More than third have experienced it, and nearly that many say they hide their identity in public. This is according to the American Jewish Committee, which released the results of what is believed to be the largest and most comprehensive survey of American Jews ever conducted on the subject of anti-Semitism.
Continued Reading

CHOICE
Nearly 900 Women's Health Clinics Have Lost Federal Funding over Gag Rule    
 
Nearly 900 women's health clinics nationwide have lost federal funds after the Trump administration implemented a "domestic gag rule" to a federal family planning program known as Title X, according to an organization that works to prevent unplanned pregnancies. 
Continued Reading


SEPARATION
'A Threat to Democracy': William Barr's Speech on Religious Freedom Alarms Liberal Catholics

Prominent liberal Catholics have warned the US attorney general's devout Catholic faith poses a threat to the separation of church and state, after William Barr delivered a fiery speech on religious freedom in which he warned that "militant secularists" were behind a "campaign to destroy the traditional moral order".     
Continued Reading

BEYOND THE CORE
Senate Republicans Block Two Election Security Bills

Senate Republicans this week blocked legislation that would provide funding for states to shore up election security and create more transparency around online advertisements. Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) blocked passage of the Honest Ads Act, sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), saying work was needed to make the measure more bipartisan.   
Continued Reading


POLITICAL BYTE
How to Vote in an Election
 
Every election year, people wonder whether their votes matter. And yet, every election year, important races are decided by the narrowest of margins. In 2018, 88 seats for statewide legislatures were decided by less than half a percentage point. There was one 2017 contest that was tied after a recount and court hearing. State law said the winner would be determined at random by plucking a name from a blue glass bowl. 
Continued Reading

 
FYI
Israel Will Send Largest Delegation Ever to 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo        
 
Israel will send its largest delegation ever for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Team Israel will include about 85 athletes in 18 sports for the quadrennial event in July. Israeli athletes will compete for the first time in equestrian show jumping and surfing. Other sports include rhythmic and artistic gymnastics, cycling, sailing and shooting. 
Continued Reading

JAC II
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 [email protected]. We will be happy to help organize a JACII in your city.

The Last Word
"What happened yesterday was a high school prank by a bunch of 50 year old white men."
--  Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) said of Republicans storming impeachment hearing
Events
 
An Evening with
Rep. Max Rose (NY-11)
November 10, 6-8 pm 
Chicago area
Call the JAC office for details
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SAVE THE DATE
April 21-23, 2020
JAC's 2020 Annual Meeting
Celebrating 40 years of JAC
Washington, DC
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Want to host a JAC event? Contact the office and we will help organize it.
[email protected] or 847.433.5999

Jewish Community Voter Guide 
The 2019 Jewish Community Voter Guide is now available.

The JAC Education Foundation's nonpartisan Congressional Voter Guide is now available for download and in print version. This edition tracks the votes of all members of the House and Senate from January - July of 2019 on key votes important to the Jewish community.


If you would like printed copies for your synagogue or organization, please contact the JAC Education Foundation office at 847.433.5999.
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.
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.