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The Meuller report released this week did not conclude that Russians altered the actual vote count in the 2016 election. But the investigation did raise serious concerns about a key component of our democracy -
the integrity of the voting process.
"Americans feel left out and locked out of their own democracy," said Rep. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), the lead author of HR1 - For the People Act. "HR1 seeks to strengthen American democracy and
return political power to the people with citizen-owned elections," he said.
This was the first piece of legislation the new Congress introduced. It is a comprehensive bill to guarantee that our election process is fairer, more accessible, and transparent. It passed in the House, but its fate is uncertain in the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refuses to take action.
Russia's attempts to influence our elections underscores just how precious - and fragile - is our right to vote.
But the U.S. lags behind most developed countries in voting. Our 2018 voter turnout was only 47 percent compared to Israel, which saw 76 percent of its population vote in their last election.
Voter suppression and a myriad of difficult voting registration laws
make it extremely challenging, and often impossible, for citizens to exercise their Constitutional right to register and vote.
A key component to HR1 will create automatic voter registration (AVR) across the country.
Policies that make voting easier would also make American democracy more representative and less likely to favor special interests. In the end, we will get a more diverse voting population - something that may not favor the GOP.
AVR has been implemented already in 15 states and has shown great success. In Oregon, 94 percent of people who interacted with the state's department of motor vehicles and were eligible to vote were registered in the first year after the AVR program was implemented; and 44 percent of those registered actually voted. In New York, where they have one of the lowest voting rates in the country, 1.5 million eligible voters could become new voters with AVR.
Attempts to tamper with our elections may increase, but your vote is the best safeguard we have to protect our democracy. At a time when our nation's institutions and core values feel tested, enabling more people to vote will protect our future. Elections matter, but only if people are register to vote and cast their ballots in every election. Our voice is our vote. Use it loudly and VOTE. Elections do matter.
What You Can Do:
Call Sen. McConnell's office and urge him to bring HR1 to a vote in the Senate. 202.224.2541 - Washington, DC
502.582.6304 - Louisville, KY
859.224.8286 - Lexington, KY
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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.
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JAC members joined a breakfast with DNC Chair Tom Perez. (l to r: Becky Galler, Tom Perez, and Lisa Lavin)
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JAC members with Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9). (l to r: Hollis Wein, Lisa Lavin, Becky Galler, and Jan Schakowsky)
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Call Your Senators
Tell them to SUPPORT the bipartisan
NICS DENIAL NOTIFICATION ACT
This act requires federal authorities to alert state law enforcement of background check denials so that state authorities can decide whether to investigate, prosecute, and/or keep an eye on those individuals whose background check for the purchase of a gun result in a denial of purchase.
The Act would help prevent those who shouldn't be able to purchase a gun from getting one.
202.224.3121
#GunSense #YesOnNICSDenialNotification
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Trump's Recognition of Israel's Claim to Golan Only Creates New Problems
In recognizing Israel's sovereignty to the Golan Heights, President Trump has come up with a solution to a problem Washington never had. In doing so, he has created new problems that undermine the U.S. national interest and Trump's own foreign policy agenda, including his stated plan for a peace deal in the region. And here's why.
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Facebook Bans White Nationalist, White Separatist Statements
Facebook announced that it will ban statements praising white nationalism and white separatism from the site and from Instagram, beginning next week. The company said in a statement that based on recent conversations with "members of civil society and academics who are experts in race relations," it has concluded that "white nationalism and separatism cannot be meaningfully separated from white supremacy and organized hate groups." If someone tries to post content that's determined to be separatist or nationalist, the site will redirect them toward a nonprofit that helps people leave hate groups.
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NC Abortion Law Is Unconstitutional, Federal Court Rules
North Carolina's ban on women having abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy is unconstitutional, a federal court ruled. But the ruling won't go into effect immediately. The judge gave state lawmakers 60 days to either write a new abortion law or appeal his ruling
.
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How the White House Is Courting Evangelicals on Its Israeli-Palestinian Peace Plan
President Trump is working on a plan for peace in the Middle East. And evangelical advisers like the Rev. Jentezen Franklin are getting the chance to weigh in on it. "It's a very exciting time and a time truly when we need to be praying for the peace of Jerusalem," said Franklin in a video he posted on Twitter after a White House meeting between prominent conservative evangelical Christians and Trump administration officials earlier this month.
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Facing Little Movement in Congress, Gun-Control Groups Turn Focus Toward Preventing Suicide, Handgun Violence
Unable to achieve major federal gun legislation in the wake of the nation's notorious mass shootings, U.S. gun-control groups are shifting their focus to state laws that keep guns out of the hands of those at risk of being violent or suicidal.
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Stephen Moore Could Inflict More Long-Term Damage Than Any of Trump's Other Nominations
President Trump has made a lot of ill-advised nominations. But perhaps no single choice could inflict more long-term damage than the one he announced Friday: Stephen Moore, Trump's pick to join the Federal Reserve Board. Moore's many economic claims over the years have revealed him to be, shall we say, easily confused.
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French Pilot Who Stayed with Hijacked Israelis, Jews at Entebbe Dies Aged 95
Israeli and French officials Wednesday mourned the death of Michel Bacos, the Air France pilot who along with his crew insisted on remaining with Israeli and Jewish hostages after pro-Palestinian terrorists hijacked his flight and diverted the plane to Entebbe Airport in 1976. He died in Nice on Tuesday at the age of 95.
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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.
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.
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"I say this to the President, and his defenders in Congress: You may think it's okay how Trump and his associates interacted with Russians during the campaign. I don't. I think it's immoral. I think it's unethical. I think it's unpatriotic. And yes, I think it's corrupt."
- Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), chair of the House Judiciary Committee
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SAVE THE DATE
June 3, 2019
JAC's 2019 Power of Women Luncheon
Lincolnwood, IL
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Monday, April 8
Breakfast with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
9:30 am
Chicago
Call JAC office for details - 847.433.5999
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Monday, April 15
Lunch with Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA)
12 noon
Chicago
Call the JAC office for details - 847.433.4999
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Coming Soon!
Talking Points Los Angeles
Details to follow
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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])
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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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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.
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