October 25, 1999 Vol.1, No. 25

This Week in Washington…
For more information, contact Reva Price, Washington Representative

Legislators Need to Hear "Why Wye": When President Clinton vetoed the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill last week, adjudging the $12.7 billion total as insufficient to protect US interests abroad. Unfunded in the bill, but supported by the Administration, was the request for $1.8 billion for Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians to implement the Wye River Accords. A JCPA letter to legislators by Chair Steve Schwarz and Executive Vice Chairman Larry Rubin urged that Congress not lose sight of such important international affairs priorities as the Wye River Accords and refugee assistance. Without this money, the letter stressed, it will be difficult for the parties to the peace process to proceed. Legislators must hear from constituents across the county early this week why "Wye" and foreign assistance are of critical importance to our community. (See JCPA Action Alert, October 11, 1999)

Don't Cut Me, Don't Cut Thee, Cut the One Behind the Tree: As the House considers the Labor-HHS Appropriations measure this week, it is possible that Title XX Social Services Block Grants may be slashed to fund other priorities. This program provides vital services to children, families, the elderly and disabled. Legislators need to hear from constituents that this program should be funded at its authorized level of $2.38 billion. The House may also consider a 1.4% across the board spending measure to insure that Social Security reserve funds are not expended.

It Ain't Over Until… As Congress struggles to pass 13 Appropriations bills, the second continuing resolution, which keeps the Government in business, is set to expire on Friday. Yet another extension is anticipated to give Congressional leaders and the Administration adequate time to negotiate details of the remaining spending bills.

Yes, Virginia. There Are Matters Other Than Appropriations. The House will once again consider a bill to locate, secure and return Zachary Bauman and other Israeli soldiers missing in action (HR 1175). This measure was passed by the Senate last month.The minimum wage debate may also see the light of day this week. House leadership is linking a $1.00 hourly increase to tax cuts for small business owners. (See JCPA Action Alert, July 29, 1999)

This Week in New York…
For more information, contact Benita Gayle-Almeleh, Senior Community Consultant at bga@thejcpa.org

JCPA Leadership to Israel: Thirty JCPA leaders gather in Israel later this week to meet with top government officials, the opposition and other influentials.

Trends In Interreligious Work: JCPA's Karen Senter and Guila Franklin Siegel are participating in this week's National Workshop on Christian-Jewish Relations in Houston.

Remember: there are only 67 more days until 2000, and just 123 days until PLENUM 2000! Delegate recruitment resource packets are being sent to the field this week.

GA Bound… If you are planning to attend the November GA in Atlanta, please let us know. JCPA is arranging a special briefing with Israeli Foreign Ministry officials. JCPA leadership and staff are available for one-on-one consultation in Atlanta. Contact bga@thejcpa.org for information.