February 8, 2019

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JAC members with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8) at Talking Points.
JAC members at Talking Points with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8).
Suzie Draluck with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Amy Zisook with Fran Pine at Talking Points with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Talking Points host Amy Smalll with Liz Lund.

There was a theme to this week. From the floor of Congress to its hearing rooms to the Supreme Court, it was abortion.

It started with Trump's graphic denouncement of abortion during his State of the Union Speech. He used that moment to further underscore his commitment to ban abortion.  It does not matter that Trump got the facts wrong about late-term abortion. Trump will say and do anything to push his dangerous agenda to ban safe, legal abortion in this country. 

We now have a pro-choice Congress that, at least in the House, will stop abortion bans. But Trump will use the executive branch powers to circumvent Congress and the will of 70 percent of Americans who support safe and legal abortion care.

Last year, Trump announced changes to the Title X program. Yesterday the final rule was officially submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget. This moves our country one step closer to denying women health care.

More than four million people rely on Title X, a federal program, to access contraception and other essential health care, including wellness exams .  Under the proposed rules, Planned Parenthood would be barred  from  telling their patients how and where they can access abortion safely and legally.

Trump promised to appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn Roe v Wade. His most recent appointment, Brett Kavanaugh, didn't disappoint.  Kavanaugh voted yesterday to allow a Louisiana law to take effect that would make abortion practically inaccessible in that sta te. The Court, however, voted 5-4 to block that restrictive law.

Meanwhile, the House held hearings this week to reinstate net neutrality, which requires all internet providers to treat all information the same. The FCC repealed net neutrality last year. Without net neutrality an internet provider who maybe anti-choice can slow down or not list information regarding abortion care.

Every woman in this country deserves health care based on her unique needs, her doctor's advice and what is best for her family. The fight to outlaw abortion in our country will continue at all levels of government. We ne ed to remain involved and informed to ensure that we have more access to health care, not less.

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Do you know a high school or college student who would like to intern at JAC during the school year or next summer? Call the JAC office at 847.433.5999 about opportunities.

TELL YOUR REP. TO VOTE YES
HR 8
The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019

Call 202-225-3121

  • This bill requires a background check on all gun sales including gun shows and internet sales
  • Currently 1 in every 5 gun sales are conducted without a background check
  • These unregulated sales allow felons, domestic abusers and dangerous people to obtain guns
Background Checks Saves Lives

#UpdateBackgrounCheck
#TakeActionNow

ISRAEL
Israel, U.S. to Begin Massive Air Force Drill Amid Northern Tension
  
Amid growing tension along the northern border, the IDF and the United States military will hold their annual joint exercise next week to test the level of coordination between the two countries in the event of future conflicts. The exercise is part of a long standing agreement between the US and Israel to hold bilateral training exercises on a regular basis and the IDF Spokesman's Office stressed that it was not associated with a particular threat or world event.
Continued Reading

Dozens of Hamas Members Hold Senior Positions in BDS NGOs
ANTI-SEMITISM & BDS
After Long Delay Trump Administration Appoints Envoy to Fight Anti-Semitism
 
The United States finally has a new anti-Semitism envoy. On Feb. 5, Elan Carr will become the State Department's sole diplomat charged with addressing anti-Semitism. Despite the spike in anti-Semitism in the U.S. and the growing concerns of Jews in the U.S. and around the world, Carr is stepping into a job that's remained vacant for the entirety of President Donald Trump's administration.   
Continued Reading

CHOICE
The Supreme Court Has Blocked a Louisiana Abortion Law - for Now

The Supreme Court issued a stay on Thursday blocking enforcement of a Louisiana abortion law. The case could have implications for abortion rights nationwide.  June Medical Services v. Gee concerns a 2014 Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. Abortion rights advocates have long argued that such laws are medically unnecessary and are simply an effort to shut down abortion clinics.  
Continued Reading

SEPARATION
Trump Speaks About Abortion, Faith-Based Adoption at National Prayer Breakfast
  
President Trump defended faith-based adoption centers and his anti-abortion beliefs at the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.  "All children, born and unborn, are made in the holy image of God," Trump said to the crowd, one of his most popular applause lines.
Continued Reading

BEYOND THE CORE
The House Had Its First Gun Hearing in Years. The Parents of Parkland Victims Refused to Let the GOP Lie.

The House held its first hearing on gun violence since 2011. The flurry of mass shootings and federal inaction on the issue in the interceding years had created pent-up frustration, which erupted into full view Wednesday from Democrats and a packed room of gun violence victims and activists-especially when Republicans and GOP witnesses pushed unsubstantiated claims about gun violence.
Continued Reading


POLITICAL BYTE
Fact-Checking President Trump's 2019 State of the Union Address   
  
President Trump's State of the Union speech  once again was chock-full of stretched facts and dubious figures. Many of these claims have been fact-checked repeatedly, yet the president persists in using them. Here, in the order in which he made them, are nearly 30 statements by the president.
FYI
In 'to Dust,' a Hasidic Cantor and a Biology Teacher Played by Matthew Broderick Are Quite the Odd Couple
 
A Hasidic cantor and a jaded community college biology teacher don't seem like two individuals who would be fast friends.  In "To Dust," the debut film from director Shawn Snyder, they make a hilarious team.  The odd couple plot is not all lighthearted though. For Snyder, 37, how to deal with the loss of a loved one is the core of the film.
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.

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
"We're going to pass background checks because it's supported by over 90% of the American people and it can help save a life... If only one life is saved, that's enough for me. And it darn well ought to be enough for every single member of this Congress."
- Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL)
    
 
 
Join JAC in Washington, D.C. for our  
Annual Conference
March 13-14
 
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Monday, February 11
Come discuss going to Washington, DC with JACPAC 
5:30 - 7:30 pm 
Los Angeles
call the JAC office for details
847.433.5999
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SAVE THE DATE
June 3, 2019
JAC's 2019 Power of Women Luncheon
Lincolnwood, IL
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(Want to host a JAC event? Contact the office and we will help organize it. 847.433.5999 or [email protected]) 
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.
Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer for each individual who contributes over $200 in a calendar year. Maximum contribution per person may not exceed $5,000 per calendar year. According to law, JACPAC cannot accept corporate contributions. Membership, gifts, or other payments to JACPAC are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.