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The Democrats' successes in Kentucky and Virginia this week gives us some hope for protecting Roe v Wade and standing up to the NRA. But that hope is tempered with concern and caution following Jeff Session's decision to challenge Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL).
Newly-elected Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who is pro-choice, has vowed to oppose abortion restrictions. Kentucky has some of the strictest abortion bans in the country, including a "heartbeat ban," which outlaws the procedure after about six weeks. There is only one Planned Parenthood clinic in the state.
Beshear will not appeal the lower courts ruling that blocked Kentucky's heartbeat law. Gov. Matt Bevin wanted to appeal the decision to push the case to the Supreme Court in hopes the high court would overturn Roe v. Wade.
Beshear's win in a state that went for Trump by 30 points raises the chances for Senate candidate Amy McGrath to defeat Mitch McConnell.
McConnell, considered one the least popular Senators in the country, is also extremely unpopular in his home state. After Tuesday night, voters may finally be ready to say goodbye to McConnell.
Several states away in Alabama, we are gearing up for a monumental battle where women's rights and reproductive freedom will be a central focus. Sessions has a long, aggressive record of attacking women's access to health care and safe and legal abortion. He has referred to Roe v Wade as "one of the worst, colossally erroneous Supreme Court decisions of all time."
While the choice issues was certainly important in the Virginia races, polling showed the top issue was gun violence prevention. Voters elected candidates that can now enact laws that will save lives. Gun safety groups outspent the NRA, proving that the gun groups influence could be waning.
With the election less than a year away, we must build on these successes to ensure that Amy McGrath and Sen. Doug Jones win their races. (Click here to donate.)
Tuesday was the beginning of the blue wave. We can win nationwide if we continue to support candidates, get involved, and keep the momentum rolling.
Not sure who to donate to? Make a donation to JAC and we will use it to support our candidates.
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JAC members met with Rep. Abby Finkenauer (IA-1) in Chicago. (l to r: Marcia Balonick, Hollis Wein, Abby Finkenauer, Kristine Schanbacher, Molly Narrod, Sharon Narrod)
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JAC members met with Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (NM-3) in Chicago this week. (l to r: Mark Miller, Hollis Wein, Ben Ray Lujan, Marcia Balonick, Linda Rae Sher)
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Bipartisan Group of U.S. Congresswomen Visits to Show 'No Daylight' on Israel
A bipartisan delegation of women members of Congress is visiting Israel this week to underline that there is "no daylight" between the Democratic and Republican parties when it comes to ensuring the strength of US-Israel relations, and in supporting Israel as a Jewish, democratic state. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat of Florida, said the group had met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz, and former chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, and found it "heartwarming" to hear how similar they sounded about the imperative to enable Israelis and Palestinians to "live side by side in peace."
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Anti-Semitism in the Us Today Is a Variation on an Old Theme
Senators Jacky Rosen and James Lankford, who describe themselves as "a practicing Jewish Democrat from Nevada and a devoted Christian Republican from Oklahoma," are spearheading a new effort to fight an old problem: anti-Semitism in America. The Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, wrote the senators in an opinion column for CNN, will "collaborate with law enforcement, federal agencies, state and local government, educators, advocates, clergy, and other stakeholders to combat anti-Semitism by educating and empowering our communities."
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Meet Brett Giroir, the Anti-Choice Advocate Temporarily in Charge of the FDA
Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir-who has come under scrutiny for his record on reproductive rights-will take over the duties of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner while the Trump administration's nominee for that post awaits approval. Under the Trump administration, the FDA has elevated anti-choice policy, cracking down on self-managed abortion care website AidAccess and fetal tissue research. Now, reproductive health and rights advocates worry that Giroir's new duties at the FDA could have a detrimental effect on related policy given his record.
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Judge Scraps 'Conscience' Rule Protecting Doctors Who Deny Care for Religious Reasons
In a blow to the Trump administration, a federal court in Manhattan has knocked down a rule that would make it easier for doctors and other health care workers to refuse care for religious reasons. U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer ruled Wednesday that the Department of Health and Human Services, which issued the regulation earlier this year, exceeded its authority and "acted arbitrarily and capriciously" in promoting it.
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How a Fake Town and Real Hackers Battle Test Officials for Election Day 2020
While millions of Americans went to the polls to vote Tuesday, teams of federal and local law enforcement officials huddled in a pair of conference rooms here with a peculiar goal: secure the Nov. 3, 2020, election in the fictional American town of "Adversaria."
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3 Takeaways from Tuesday's Elections in Kentucky, Virginia and Mississippi
Democrats were celebrating Tuesday night, while President Donald Trump and Republicans were left to explain why they were behind in one of the reddest states in the nation. In Kentucky, Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear was poised to defeat Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, holding onto a 0.4-percentage-point lead with all precincts reporting even as Bevin said he would not concede. Trump had tried to bolster Bevin, holding a rally with him Monday night in Kentucky and telling the state's GOP voters that the race's outcome would be seen as a reflection on him.
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Nita Lowey, Retiring After 32 Years in Congress, Gets Teary Recalling Her Jewish Legacy
Nita Lowey, who is retiring after 32 years in Congress, fields a question about her legacy as a Jewish lawmaker. No trouble there - she talks about Israel and her Jewish pride all the time. Then there's one about her legacy as one of the pioneering women in Congress. That one goes down easy, too: Her office is plastered with photos signifying how far women have come in American politics. But when a reporter asks a question combining the two - about her legacy as a female Jewish lawmaker - the New York Democrat has to ask an assistant to find some tissues.
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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.
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Know someone who would be interested in joining or hosting a meeting? Let us know at info@jacpac.org. We will be happy to help organize a JACII in your city.
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"There is really only one question left. Is this ok? The Republicans in the Senate need to decide if this is ok for the president of the United States to leverage military assistance to one of our allies in order to get political favors to interfere in our elections."
-- Former Sen. Claire McCasskill (D-MO)
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An Evening with
Rep. Max Rose (NY-11)
November 10, 6-8 pm
Chicago area
Call the JAC office for details
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Conference Call
Mid-East Update
Gidi Grinstein
Tuesday, November 12
Note: This call is for current JAC members. Need to join or renew your membership? Click here.
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Breakfast with
Rep. Elissa Slotkin
Monday, November 17
8:00 am
Chicago
Call the JAC office for details
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Meet
Cal Cunningham
Candidate for U.S. Senate from North Carolina
Monday, December 9
Details to follow
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SAVE THE DATE
April 21-23, 2020
JAC's 2020 Annual Meeting
Celebrating 40 years of JAC
Washington, DC
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Want to host a JAC event? Contact the office and we will help organize it.
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Jewish Community Voter Guide
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The 2019 Jewish Community Voter Guide is now available.
The JAC Education Foundation's nonpartisan Congressional Voter Guide is now available for download and in print version. This edition tracks the votes of all members of the House and Senate from January - July of 2019 on key votes important to the Jewish community.
If you would like printed copies for your synagogue or organization, please contact the JAC Education Foundation office at 847.433.5999.
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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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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.
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