March 12, 2021
What's On Our Mind ...
The Filibuster, COVID relief, and Civil Rights

Yesterday President Biden delivered on his promise to help the American people with an historic Covid relief package. Among other things, the package will cut the rate of child poverty in half and provide $14 billion for vaccine distribution. He could not have done this without JAC-supported candidates in Congress.

But it almost did not happen because of the Senate’s filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes to pass a bill. This archaic rule is used to delay a vote on a bill and obstruct the passage of legislation.

The GOP has only one goal in mind: preventing President Biden’s legislative agenda. There is strong pressure to abolish the filibuster, but it would require the support of every member of the Senate Democratic caucus.

During JAC’s discussion this week with Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), he suggested another way to deal with the filibuster problem. He said once again Senators should be required to literally speak on the Senate floor until there is a vote to end debate and take a vote on the proposed bill.

To filibuster or not? What do you think? Let us now at info@jacpac.org

Upcoming Events

Special Event for Current Members Only
Discussion on Antisemitism with
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)
Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism
Monday, March 22
5:00 pm ET | 4:00 pm CT | 2:00 pm PT
Special Event for Current Members Only
Conversation with JAC Member & Superhero
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Senior Chief Deputy Whip, House Energy & Commerce Committee
Tuesday, April 6
5:00 pm ET | 4:00 pm CT | 2:00 pm PT
Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Aviv Ezra

Time and Date TBD
Instagram of the Week
March 10, 2021 - On this Women’s History Wednesday, we are honoring Stacey Abrams. Stacey inspired millions of people during the 2020 election to fight for voting rights and her efforts were integral in the increased voter turnout in her home state of Georgia that flipped the White House and the Senate blue. As Republicans across the U.S. continue to chip away at our voting rights, we need more women like Stacey to stand up and fight for our democracy. #WomensHistoryMonth #EmpoweringWomen #StaceyAbrams

See what else we're doing. Follow us on social media
In the News
ISRAEL
As Israel heads into its fourth election in two years, polls predict a political deadlock. The U.S. and Israel held their first strategic meeting on Iran and other regional issues. Here are the ten things to know about Israel's jittery peace with Jordan.
ANTISEMITISM AND BDS
BDS groups from the U.S. and Europe are teaming up with Iran and Hamas against Israel. A pro-Trump Capitol rioter asked 'Where's the big Jew?' while searching for Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in the Senate. U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) is leading a fight against antisemitism with the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians.
CHOICE
Arkansas' new near-total abortion ban is a direct message to Amy Coney Barrett regarding overturning Roe V. Wade. A federal judge ruled that Texas can remove Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid Program. The Capitol riots have exposed a long-standing link between right-wing extremism and the anti-abortion movement.
RELIGION AND STATE
The House recently passed the Equality Act, a groundbreaking civil rights bill that would extend equal protection to the LGBTQ community. But the bill has divided faith leaders and ignited a debate over religious liberty. Chief Justice John Roberts was the lone dissenter as the Supreme Court backed a student in a religious-speech case.
BEYOND THE CORE
Everything you need to know about Republican efforts to restrict voting in 2022. The House just passed universal background checks on all gun sales. The bill faces a challenge in the Senate, where Democrats are pushing to abolish the filibuster - something Congress has done before. A year after W.H.O. declared COVID a pandemic, more U.S. states are expanding access to vaccines.
POLITICAL BYTE
President Biden just launched the second war on poverty. Heading into the 2022 elections, the GOP faces Senate retirement brain drain. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) calls the COVID aid bill a 'turning point in politics that will stop future Trumps'.
FYI
The Israeli short film 'White Eye' has now been shortlisted for the Academy Award for live action short film, one of 10 finalists out of 174 qualifying films. The Oscar nominations will be announced on Monday. Thanks to Israel, South Park's citizens got vaccinated against COVID-19. From Graucho Barx to Matzo Ball: why do Jewish pets have Jewish names?
The Last Word
"Mitch McConnell needs dark money like a scuba diver needs oxygen."
— Rep Tom Malinowski (D-NJ)
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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