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June 5, 2000 Vol. 2, No. 19 This Week in Washington... For more information, contact Reva Price, Washington Representative at rprice@thejcpa.org This Week in Congress: Members return to Washington from their Memorial Day recess ready to tackle appropriations bills. On the House docket are the Labor-HHS-Education, Agriculture and Legislative branch spending bills. The Senate is embroiled in conflicts both inter and intra party which puts their schedule for the week in flux. The watchword for the Senate this week is smile, since the only appointment on this week’s calendar is with a photographer for this year’s official group portrait. Your Urgent Attention Required - Have you called your Representative this week? When the House of Representatives turns its attention to the Agriculture Appropriations bill, it will consider a provision which would lift sanctions on sales of food and medicine to Cuba, North Korea, Libya, Sudan and Iran. Rep. George Nethercutt (WA) introduced the provision in subcommittee as a way to open an estimated $7 billion market for American farmers. Although most legislators have focussed on the impact of this provision with regard to Cuba, few have considered the consequences if provided to the other countries. The timing of this amendment is ill advised. With the fate of 13 Iranian Jews up in the air, lifting sanctions would send the wrong signal to the Iranians. The involvement of some of these countries in support of international terrorism, continued efforts to amass weapons of mass destruction and general opposition to the Middle East peace process are additional reasons for Representatives to reject this amendment. Calls are needed to Representatives to urge them to oppose this provision. King Abdullah Visiting DC: President Clinton will be meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan on Tuesday for a "working meeting." The White House statement on the meeting notes that the "meeting is another symbol of the depth and breadth of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Jordan. The meeting will also provide a useful opportunity to exchange views on regional and international issues, including the Middle East peace process." REMINDER: If you have not already done so, please complete and return the survey on religion in public schools dated May 26th. In order for us to address these complicated issued, we need comprehensive feedback from a wide cross-section of our community. Responses should be sent to gfsiegel@thejcpa.org, or sent via fax to 202-293-2154.
This Week in New York... For more information, contact Benita Gayle-Almeleh, Senior Community Consultant at bga@thejcpa.org JCPA Task Force and Board Meetings: It isn’t too late to decide to join us for these agenda-rich sessions. Monday’s Board meeting will feature a fond farewell to Min. Avi Granot, who has served the Israeli government and American Jewish community so well. We will also hear from two members of Congress (Rep. Marge Roukema and Rep. Steve Rothman) about emerging Election 2000 issues. Contact Hluftig@thejcpa.org to reserve your place today. Minkoff 2000 in Israel: 17 CRC directors and members of the JCPA staff travel to Israel next week for top-level meetings with Israeli leaders, academics and opinion-shapers.
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