January 25, 2001 Vol. 3, No. 44

This Week in Washington...

And the 107^th Begins: President Bush is expected to begin his first full week in office by sending some of his legislative priorities to Capitol Hill. With Monday as the first day that Senators can begin introducing legislation for the year, it appears likely that "S1" will be held for the President’s education package.

Seven Down, More to Go: After the full Senate approved 7 cabinet nominees on Saturday afternoon, confirmation efforts will continue into this week with the following votes tentatively scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday: Christie Todd Whitman for EPA Secretary, Tommy Thompson for Secretary of Health and Human Services; Mel Martinez for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Anthony Principi for Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and Mitchell Daniels Jr. for Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Wednesday on the nomination of John Ashcroft for Attorney General. Later this week the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on the nomination of Elaine Chao to be Secretary of Labor and the Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on Transportation Secretary-designate Norman Mineta.

Update on Reproductive Freedom: Monday is the 28^th anniversary of the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision. The anniversary will be marked by the Right to Life movement with their annual march and demonstration at the Washington monument. Late this morning, President announced he will reinstate a ban on federal funding for groups that provide abortion counseling overseas. Speaking briefly to reporters in the White House, Bush said he "soon" will issue an order reinstating the so-called Mexico City policy. The JCPA has long been on record supporting such financial assistance. In its 2000-2001 Agenda for Jewish Public Affairs, we noted that "efforts to place limitations and restrictions on funding for international family planning groups will continue. The JCPA will work in coalitions to oppose these and all efforts to limit access to the full range of health services for women and to restore the family planning funds stripped in 1999 foreign aid legislation".

New Study on Religion in American Life: The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has published data from a study by Public Agenda on what Americans think about religion, faith and personal morality. Entitled "For Goodness’ Sake: Why so Many Want Religion to Play a Greater Role in American life," the study asks what role Americans want religion to play in policymaking. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, chapter 7 of the study points out that the Jews interviewed for the study were far more wary about the role they wish religion to play in society, schools and politics than their non-Jewish counterparts. The study can be found at www.PewForum.org.

Green Light for Hadassah at UN: After a long and difficult process, Hadassah was recommended for the higher "consultative" status in the important United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Arab countries and the Palestinian Authority had lobbied vigorously against this step. The U.S., Turkey, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Ethiopia, France, Germany and Romania approved Hadassah's application. JCPA member agencies are encouraged to send letters of thanks to those countries' missions to the UN. The final confirmation, which we believe will be positive, will come at ECOSOC's general meeting in Geneva scheduled for June 2001.

This Week in New York…

For more information, contact Benita Gayle-Almeleh, Senior Community Consultant at bga@thejcpa.org

HaMakom Y’Nachem: We mourn the untimely death of past NJCRAC Chair Michael Pelavin. May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion.

Plenum Reminder….there’s still time to register for what is shaping up to be the most exciting Plenum ever! Look for email updates later this week! Need a registration form? Call 212-684-6950.