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The JCRC Public Policy & Civil Rights Committee is committed to keeping you informed on the bills and issues that we are watching during this Legislative session.
If you have any questions about bills and issues, want to learn more about the process of participating in grass-roots advocacy, or would like assistance crafting letters or testimonies, JCRC staff is here to help!
To view the bills JCRC is monitoring, click here.
| | US Senate overwhelmingly votes down Sanders’ motions to block arms sales to Israel, 83-15 | | Thank you, Senator Ricketts and Senator Fischer! Our Nebraska senators voted against blocking critical arms sales to Israel and we appreciate their continued support of Israel. Please join us in thanking them by sending a quick message using the links below. | |
Funding pulled for planned Nebraska prescription drug donation program with Iowa
Sponsor hopes to revive $530,000 annually for partnership with Iowa’s SafeNetRx; patients at or below 200% of fed poverty level qualify
Read more from the Nebraska Examiner
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Lawmakers approve at-home nurse visits for Nebraska postpartum moms, 340B protections
Nebraska lawmakers overwhelmingly approved legislation Thursday morning to require state officials to seek federal matching funds for targeted nurse home visitation services.
Read more from the Nebraska Examiner
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Update from Catalyst
The Nebraska Legislature has wrapped up its public hearings for the 2025 session, paving the way for all-day debate on a variety of crucial bills, including legislation on minimum wage, medicaid coverage for mental health resources, and expanded SNAP benefits.
To stay informed about the developments that unfolded during this week and get a summary of what's to come next week, check out the update provided by Catalyst Research Analyst, Taylor Gold.
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From our colleagues at Civic Nebraska
Contact your senator NOW – tell them to vote NO on LB3
On Tuesday, April 8, the Nebraska Legislature will debate and vote on LB3, a bill that would change Nebraska to a winner-take-all electoral system and silence the voices of thousands of voters in our state. Debate is expected to begin at about 1:30 pm CDT on Tuesday.
If it passes, Nebraska will abandon its fair, district-based system, which ensures all voters, no matter where they live, have a say in presidential elections.
This is a blatant power grab initiated by out-of-state interests. Nebraskans have been clear that we want to keep the split vote, and we can't allow them to erase decades of Nebraska's independent tradition.
Contact your State Senator
| | From our colleagues at Americans United | | |
Right now, Christian Nationalists and other pro-voucher forces are racing to pass a nationwide, $100 billion private school voucher program in Congress. We need to raise our voices to protect public education and church-state separation.
Private school vouchers threaten public education and religious freedom by forcing taxpayers to fund religious education. They also lack accountability, fund discrimination, and don’t even improve student achievement. These are just a few of the many reasons why we must fight all private school voucher programs—and we need your help to do it!
Use our online tool to send your Members of Congress an urgent message demanding that they reject any attempt to create a private school voucher.
Tell Congress NO on HR 833
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Support the Antisemitism Awareness Act
This bill will solidify the policy established by the previous three administrations and utilizes the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, providing concrete examples of what constitutes antisemitism so that we can distinguish between legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and hateful attacks targeting Jewish people.
The IHRA definition gives the Department of Education the tools it needs to determine when conduct is motivated by antisemitic bias. It provides a comprehensive and internationally recognized framework. This definition includes, but is not limited to, traditional anti-Jewish hatred and Holocaust denial, as well as modern forms of antisemitism that target Jewish Americans due to their association with or connection to the State of Israel.
We kindly ask you to reach out to your representative TODAY and urge them to support the quick passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act.
Contact your Representative
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April 9: Jewish Identity vs Jewish Politics
Is multiculturalism destined to fail? Is it possible to reject identity politics while also championing strong Jewish identities?
On Wednesday, April 9 at 11:00 AM CT, join Bret Stephens for a conversation with Rabbi Meir Soloveichik on his recent SAPIR Journal article. As we approach the primary election on Tuesday, April 1, JCRC Omaha warmly encourages you to embrace this vital opportunity to make your voice heard! Voting is not just a right; it’s a powerful way to engage in our community and uphold our shared values.
Register Here
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Save the date!
May 7 | Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer
The Moral, The Political, and The Partisan: Jewish Community in a Partisan Age
Proudly co-sponsored by the JCRC and Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation
As partisan politics continues to shape American public discourse, the Jewish community struggles to define the commitments we are meant to share with each other and to find ways to hold together across difference. How can we identify the kinds of ideas and ideals that should transcend what divides us? And how might we imagine Jewish community in a divided America?
| | If you know someone who would like to stay up to date with our work and legislative newsletter, please forward this email so they can subscribe! | | Guided by Jewish values, the nonpartisan Jewish Community Relations Council works in common cause with other religious, racial, ethnic, and civic groups to foster a just, democratic, and pluralistic society. The JCRC advocates, educates, collaborates, and mobilizes action on issues important to the Jewish Community and greater community to fight antisemitism and hate in all its forms and promote the security of Israel and Jews everywhere. | | | | |
