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Lawmakers will return to Washington on Monday after their August recess. During that time there were three more mass shootings with 30 people killed.
The total number of deadly mass shootings in the United States in 2019 comes out to an average of one every 13 days. Most of those have been committed with assault weapons. Ending gun violence should be the first issue Congress acts on next week.
The assault weapons ban, which passed in 1994 and expired in 2004. The act also banned magazines that could accommodate 10 rounds or more. Mass shooting deaths are up by 347% since the assault weapons ban expired. Assault weapons with large magazines to hold bullets have been used in most mass shootings.
Polls consistently show that a majority of Americans support a ban on assault weapons and background checks. Americans are growing tired of the killings, which have touched nearly every community is our country. Yet Congress seems to be deaf to our cries to do something.
The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to take up three gun safety bills. One would outlaw large capacity magazines, another would prevent people convicted of a misdemeanor hate crime from owning a weapon, and another would help states pass laws to allow courts to take guns away from people who could pose a danger.
While the House continues to move forward to keep our communities safe, the Senate is doing nothing. Senate Democrats were ready to travel early back to Washington, DC to act on gun violence prevention but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to call the Senate back to session.
Gun violence impacts Democrats and Republicans. This should not be a partisan issue, - but it should be an American issue.
We must keep the pressure on the Senate to do something. Keep calling your Senators and demand that they support universal background checks (HR8) and an assault weapons ban (S.66). Call McConnell too. Tell him we need action now. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Urge your Senators to keep pushing McConnell to bring the gun legislation to the Senate floor, and encourage them to speak out in favor of gun safety measures. Tell your Senators you vote on the gun safety issue.
Don't stop calling. Our lives depend on it.
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DEMAND REAL GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
202.224.3121
Lawmakers are heading back to Washington, DC.
after the August recess. NOW is the time for them to get serious about real gun violence prevention legislation.
CALL YOUR SENATORS (202-224-3121)
DEMAND THEY PASS:
Assault-style Weapons Ban
Comprehensive National Background Checks
Red Flag Laws
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JAC met with Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) in Chicago. (l to r: Hollis Wein, Marcia Ross, Fran Levy,
Andrea Metzl, Andy Levin, Linda Rae Sher, Howard Swibel, Zoe Kellner, Marcia Balonick)
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| From l to r: Marcia Balonick, Bonnie Lautenberg, Linda Rae Sher, and Judy Klutznick at JAC-member Bonnie's art showing. |
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Greenblatt's Departure and the Fate of the U.S. Peace Plan
Greenblatt has been one of the major architects of the plan, and has dedicated much of his time in office - close to three years - helping to formulate it. His sudden departure leaves some wondering whether he would quit his central role on US President Donald Trump's Mideast team just before all the action starts, meaning before the negotiations that would ensue once the plan is released. With Greenblatt's sudden resignation, it is questionable whether the oft-delayed plan will be released at all.
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Here's How New York City's New Hate Crimes Chief Plans to Tackle Rising Anti-Semitism
Like other local officials, Deborah Lauter can't say exactly what's causing the recent spike in hate crimes against Jews in New York City. "It's difficult to make generalizations," Lauter said. "When you look at escalation of swastikas on buildings, are these copycat attacks because they're in the press a lot and perpetrators are inspired by that? Or are they being inspired by demonization of individuals and groups?"
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Health Advocates Fear Planned Parenthood Funding Loss Could Worsen STD Crisis
Public health advocates are warning that record-high rates of sexually transmitted diseases could worsen as Planned Parenthood, a major provider of STD testing and treatment, faces a loss of federal funding under a new Trump rule.
Planned Parenthood's loss of $60 million a year in government funding is seen by advocates as a huge setback in the fight against "epidemic"-level STD rates that could lead to more low-income people going untreated.
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Mississippi Wedding Venue Cites 'Christian Belief' in Refusing Interracial Couple
An interracial Mississippi couple was turned away from a wedding venue with the owner citing her refusal based on her "Christian beliefs." The owner of the venue has since apologized, saying she was raised to believe interracial marriage was an "understood subject." In a now-viral video, an unidentified woman can be heard saying, in part, "we don't do gay weddings or mixed-raced (weddings) because of our Christian race, I mean our Christian belief."
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The Coming Reckoning over the Electoral College
Since the 2016 election, some Democrats have raged against the Electoral College as an anti-democratic institution that does not reflect the will of the people. Some Republicans have defended the institution as protecting the power of small states and preserving the federal system. But whether you like the Electoral College in theory or not, it turns out that the actual rules used to implement its use are creaky and dangerous.
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The Future of Election Meddling Is Americans Versus Americans
Imagine this: It is the evening of Sunday, November 1, 2020, two days until voters will go to the polls and pick their next president. Seemingly out of nowhere, a strange video appears online. First on Twitter, then Facebook, then everywhere. The video shows the Democratic nominee talking about a plan to rig the upcoming election. Only weeks later is the explosive clip is revealed to be a deepfake, a type of counterfeit video made possible by highly sophisticated but readily available artificial intelligence technology. But by then, the election is already decided, the damage done.
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Israeli-Made Innovative Cancer Treatment Gets FDA Stamp of Approval
The world's first drug to prevent proliferation of cancerous cells, established by Israeli scientist Dr. Sharon Shacham, just received FDA approval, kicking off Leukemia AwarenessMonth. Karyopharm wrote in a press release that within six days of the FDA's approval, cancer patients in the USA began receiving XPOVIO.
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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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"
If he keeps appeasing Russia's aggression, what will he allow them to get away with next?
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Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI)
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Monday, September 9
Meeting with
MJ Hegar
U.S. Senate Candidate (D-TX)
Chicago
We will be meeting with her directly following the U.S. Holocaust Luncheon. Contact the JAC office for details.
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Sunday, September 15
Talking Points LA
with
Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA-38)
3-5 pm
Encino, CA
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Monday, September 16
Coffee & Conversation
Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ)
11:00 am
Chicago
Call JAC office for details
__________________________
Tuesday, September 24
Reception in support of
Kristine Schanbacher
Candidate for IL-7
6-8 pm
Winnetka, IL
Call JAC office for details
_________________________
Thursday, October 10
Michigan Membership Meeting
featuring
Senators Debbie Stabenow & Gary Peters (D-MI)
11:00 am
Franklin, MI
Details to follow
____________________________
SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, October 17
Senate Candidate Mark Kelly (D-AZ) &
Former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ)
Chicago, IL
Details to follow
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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.
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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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