July 15, 2022

What's On Our Mind We continue this week to see JAC’s issues at the forefront of the nation’s headlines: from reproductive freedom to gun violence prevention to the U.S.- Israel relationship.  REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM — Today the House voted on several laws protecting a woman’s right to an abortion. With the decision by SCOTUS, our only hope is through federal legislation. It still needs Senate support for the bills to be signed into law by President Joe Biden.  ISRAEL — It was a moving site to see President Biden land in Israel and hear the U.S. national anthem followed by Israel’s national anthem. This important visit underscored the strong commitment the U.S. and Israel have to each other, despite differences in policies at times. Biden also stressed the importance of a two-state solution. President Biden and Israel Prime Minister Yair Lapid adopted the Jerusalem U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Joint Declaration reaffirming the United States' enduring commitment of the U.S. to Israel’s security.  “Israel must remain an independent, democratic, Jewish state — the ultimate guarantee and guarantor of security of the Jewish people not only in Israel but the entire world. I believe that to my core,” said President Biden. GUN VIOLENCE — JAC was honored to attend the White House for President Biden’s signing of the Safer Communities Act With the parade shooting in Highland Park, just two blocks form JAC’s office, our commitment to work to ban assault weapons has never been stronger. The best way to do so is to elect more Democratic Senators who will vote to break the filibuster and then allow the Senate to pass an assault weapons ban. JAC is proud to be partnering with Highland Park Strong to help community activists fight gun violence. GOTV — Volunteers came to the JAC office to write postcards which will be mailed to voters in key battleground states. Stop by the JAC office every Wednesday from 1-4 pm for our midweek mobilization. We will be writing postcards and calling voters. If you want to write postcards and do not live in the area, you can order postcards here. Every vote matters. Everything is on the ballot this year.  Stay involved with JAC. YOU play an important role in helping us meet our goals to elect more candidates to Congress who share our values.  JAC directly supports candidates. Click here to support JAC.  SUPPORT JAC TODAY

Upcoming Events ENOUGH THOUGHTS, ENOUGH PRAYERS, ACTION NOW a special event discussing gun violence prevention featuring Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and IL State Rep. Bob Morgan Monday, August 1 6:30 pm Chicago RSVP Here Let's Talk - Strategic Discussion to Effect Change in Gun Legislation featuring Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) and IL State Sen. Julie Morrison Friday, August 5 10:00 am Highland Park, IL RSVP Here

Photos of the Week (from top to bottom: meeting with Rep. Adam Schiff, attending White House gun violence prevention bill signing, postcard writing to voters) ‌ ‌ ‌

In the News

ISRAEL President Joe Biden said the ties between Israelis and Americans are ‘bone deep’ Saudi Arabia opened its airspace to Israeli aircraft as the first signs of a normalization Israeli President Isaac Herzog presented President Joe Biden with Israel’s highest civilian honor

ANTISEMITISM AND BDS Biden meets with Holocaust survivors at memorial in Jerusalem A look at what Palestinian Authority schools teach about Jews, Israel Dutch judge sentences makers of antisemitic cartoon to visit Holocaust Memorial

CHOICE House Democrats pass abortion bill codifying Roe v Wade without Republican support With abortion nearly banned in their state, Wisconsin doctors head to Illinois The story of a 10-year-old girl in Ohio who was raped became the focus of a heated political debate

RELIGION AND STATE Republicans grow more overt in rejecting church-state separation SCOTUS is unravelling the separation of religion and state Do abortion bans violate the establishment clause?

BEYOND THE CORE House Judiciary Committee will take up proposed legislation next week that would ban certain assault weapons Biden smashes one-week judicial nominees record with 5 new picks How climate change could drive an increase in gender-based violence

POLITICAL BYTE The annual defense spending bill has become a vehicle for House Republicans to try to hash out culture war issues A majority of American voters across nearly all demographics and ideologies believe their system of government does not work Democrats are already plotting how to take advantage of another White House run from Trump

FYI A former Oath Keeper leaves over Holocaust denialism because of his Jewish family Biden becomes first U.S. president to make an appearance at the Maccabiah ‘Jewish Olympics’ 5 essential films everyone should watch in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned

THE LAST WORD "We face, literally, a moral choice in this country — a moral choice with profound, real-world implications. Will we take wise steps to fulfill the responsibility to protect the innocent and while keeping faith with constitutional rights? Will we match thoughts and prayers with action?  -President Joe Biden at White House ceremony signing the Safer Community Act

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.