October 29, 2001 Vol. 3, No. 33

This Week in WASHINGTON

For more information, contact Reva Price, Washington Representative, at rprice@thejcpa.org

Homeland Security: As we write, even the U.S. Supreme Court has taken the unusual step of relocating for proceedings, and the Hart Senate Office building remains closed due to evidence of exposure to anthrax. Recent building closures have impacted the Congressional calendar , in some cases causing cancellation of meetings, hearings and conferences. Legislators will once again try to hold hearings this week on a variety of different issues in the war on terrorism. One such hearing sure to get wide attention is a field hearing in New York City, not far from Ground Zero, by the Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Select Intelligence Committee. Chaired by Congressman Chamblis (GA) the committee will hear from emergency responders from NY and Los Angeles as well as Mayor Giuliani (NYC), Gov. Keating (OK), Gov. Barnes (GA) and Gov. Bush (FL). Senator Lieberman’s (CT) Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will. examine the security of the US mail and US postal workers. The House Government Reform Committee chaired by Rep. Burton (IN) has scheduled a similar session. The Senate Commerce, Senate Science and Transportation Committee, chaired by Senator Hollings (SC) will discuss determining the risk of terrorism. Several subcommittees of the House Government Reform Committee will meet jointly to discuss law enforcement effectiveness in fighting terrorism, while a joint session of two subcommittees of the House Education Committee will discuss tracking international students in higher education.

Who’s on the List? The House International Relations Committee chaired by Rep. Hyde (IL) will meet midweek to mark-up several pieces of pending legislation. Work is underway to craft a bill which would create a watch list of states that support terrorism, in addition to the State Department’s annual listing of State Sponsors of Terrorism. This new list would focus on states that cannot yet be considered sponsors, but which experts fear are leaning in that direction. JCPA will continue to monitor these developments. The initiative follows on the heels of correspondence between Rep. Lantos (CA), ranking member of the House International Relations Committee and Rep. Tom Delay (TX), House Republican Whip with Secretary of State Colin Powell and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage indicating that anti-Israel terrorist groups should be considered "terrorist organizations with global reach", and therefore targets of the Administration’s anti-terrorist campaign. The letter signed by Armitage also warns that Iran, Syria, and notably the Palestinian Authority (PA) will not be rewarded for anti-terrorist rhetoric unless they take "satisfactory action on the longstanding conditions and concerns we have regarding their policies and activities [in support of terrorism]."

Elsewhere on the Congressional Agenda: Just what to do with the House passed Economic Security and Recovery Act of 2001 (H.R. 3090) is on the Senate’s agenda. It is unclear whether the bill will be examined by the Finance Committee or if a version preferred by the Senate Democratic leadership will go straight to the floor. While the JCPA does not have a position on the package, member agencies National Council of Jewish Woman and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism are cautioning against a package which includes tax cuts for corporations and upper-income taxpayers, but ignores for the most part unemployed workers and those families most hurt by the current economic situation. The Agriculture Appropriations bill has been passed by both the House and Senate and the legislation must now go to conference. Advocates are concerned that there is insufficient funding for the WIC (Women Infants and Children) program, with the Senate providing for $4.247 billion which would serve 7.35 million participants, and the House funding at $4.137 which would only serve 7.165 million participants. Last year’s case load for this program reached 7.45 million which means that agreement is reached on the Senate figures, there is a shortfall of at least $250 million, without even calculating in higher unemployment.

This Week in NEW YORK

Important Tool: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has created an advocacy guide for individuals and groups in the American Jewish community to get more actively involved in supporting and defending the State of Israel. Produced in response to the Palestinian violence, Advocating for Israel: An Activist's Guide includes facts and talking points on the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and information worksheets with tips for reaching out to elected officials and the media, and for addressing issues that frequently arise at colleges and universities. The Guide provides both substantive "talking points" to the user, as well as practical "how-to" information. The ADL Guide, prepared prior to the September 11^th terrorist attacks, is replete with information and talking points that are timely, including useful facts on terrorism and U.S.-Israel relations. The Guide, available on the ADL Web site, will be regularly updated online. The Guide consists of a folder with five permanent inserts, including Talking Points for Israel Advocacy, a 38-page booklet discussing key issues for Israel advocacy. The JCPA has mailed the Guide to CRCs and board members. Agencies wishing to obtain multiple copies should contact Gaby Berger at gberger@thejcpa.org.

These hoaxes just aren’t funny: Internet hoaxes and urban legends have always spread disinformation. Since September 11^th, several troubling Internet hoaxes and urban legends have misled people and caused unnecessary anxiety. Consider checking one of several websites that investigate the validity of such emails. Among the best sites are www.about.com <http://www.about.com>, <http://hoaxinfo.com> and www.urbanlegends.com <http://www.urbanlegends.com>. Stay tuned to Insider and the www.JewishPublicAffairs.org <http://www.JewishPublicAffairs.org> for more information about internet hoaxes and urban legends.

Mazel Tov: Remarks reflecting on the September 11^th attacks by Rabbi Israel Zoberman, CRC Chair of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (Virginia) were featured in the October 23 issue of the Congressional Record.

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