February 26, 2021
What's On Our Mind ...
$5 million, voting rights, and the other Joe

Several anti-choice groups have launched a $5 million campaign to defeat a bill dealing with voting rights. They have a clear interest in keeping people from voting.

For the People Act, H.R. 1, is a historic voting rights, anti-corruption, ethics, and clean elections bill. “If we could get the reforms of H.R. 1 embodied into law, it would be absolutely transformational. It would be the most robust, breathtaking reforms that we’ve seen in two generations,” said the bill’s author, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD).

H.R. 1 incorporates key measures that are urgently needed, including automatic voter registration and other steps to modernize our elections, a national guarantee of free and fair elections without voter suppression, and a commitment to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. The House is expected to vote on H.R. 1 next week.

Every House Democrat has sponsored the legislation. Even though it will reach the Senate floor, its fate is not certain with the 50/50 split in the Senate.

We cannot afford to lose any Democrats. The spotlight will be on Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Jon Tester (D-MT), whose support for the bill is not rock-solid.

Call their offices at 202-224-3121. Tell them support H.R. 1.
In the News
ISRAEL
President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke last week -- here's what that means. The U.S. still favors dialogue with Iran, but its patience is not unlimited. As Israel heads into its fourth election in two years, parties need to keep coalition options open.
ANTISEMITISM AND BDS
Critics call SNL's Michael Che's joke an antisemitic trope. At his confirmation, Merrick Garland recounted his family history, and said he's a 'pretty good judge of what an antisemite is.' The IHRA's new definition of antisemitism can foster healthy dialogues. Conspiracy theorists like to portray themselves as “skeptics,” truth-seekers. Holocaust deniers have adopted this same pose.
CHOICE
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to Trump's abortion rules. President Biden's pick for Health Secretary faces abortion politics. There is a network of nefarious bills trying to kill Roe v. Wade at the state level.
RELIGION AND STATE
Many online learning platforms used during the pandemic offer a surprising lack of church-state separation. Many are calling on Evangelicals to fight conspiracy theories and welcome the vaccines. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, in an unimaginably cruel act, hung an anti-trans sign outside the office of a Representative with a transgender daughter.
BEYOND THE CORE
A single Trump judge is already sabotaging the Biden administration's efforts to slow deportations. President Biden is considering a slew of gun violence prevention measures, namely regulation of 'ghost guns.' Republicans are taking their voter suppression efforts to new extremes. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the flu has disappeared from the U.S.
POLITICAL BYTE
Many of President Biden's nominees of color are running into turbulence in the Senate. Congress might actually expand the courts. But will Republicans let President Biden fill new seats? Democratic women are shaking up the male-dominated political media field with a new media firm.
FYI
After a year of the pandemic, masks have a dual meaning on Purim. Horror film 'The Vigil' features lesser-known Jewish demons. It's been 55-years since Syria executed Israeli spy Eli Cohen. But he is still making headlines.
The Last Word
"When America shows up -- when we are consistent and persistent -- when we exert our influence in accordance with our values -- the United Nations can be an indispensable institution for advancing peace, security, and our collective well-being."

- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield
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.