April 11, 2001 Vol. 3, No. 8

This Week in Washington...

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

Congress on Spring Break, Don’t let Legislators Get Too Much Rest! Legislators adjourned last week for a two week break. They are scheduled to return on April 23^rd. While your elected officials are home, it would be a good time to contact them on a number of critical issues.

Israel and Middle East Peace: House and Senate members who signed the April 6 letters to Bush calling for the reassessment of US-Palestinian relations should be thanked. It is important that legislators know we have seen their efforts and do not take support for Israel for granted. The list of the 89 Senators and 189 House Members who signed this important initiative can be found on the JCPA website: www.jewishpublicaffairs.org/israel/senators.html

"Charitable Choice:" Advocates in Washington representing both sides of the "Charitable Choice" debate are gearing up for a busy few weeks when Congress returns. Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Constitution Subcommittee has scheduled a hearing for April 24^th on faith-based programs as implemented on the state level. This will coincide with the Faith-Based Leadership Summit being planned by Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. (R-OK) and others scheduled for the week Congress returns. The purpose of the Summit is to call attention to the role faith-based partnerships can play in community renewal initiatives. The legislators will clearly use this opportunity to focus on the new Watts-Hall "Community Solutions Act of 2001" also known as HR 7, which contains provisions calling for the expansion of "charitable choice." Other charitable choice provisions have been introduced in the House as well, specifically a provision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act which would allow federal dollars for after school programs to go to pervasively sectarian institutions. In the Senate, Senator Hatch has rescheduled the Senate Hearing on the issues for May 1^st so as not to conflict with the Summit the week before. Legislators need to hear loud and clear that while we value their recognition of the role community and faith-based groups play, we are concerned that taxpayer dollars not be used to fund government programs without necessary constitutional protections. All legislation they consider must include meaningful, effective measures to safeguard First Amendment church/state protections and prevent religious discrimination. See JCPA memorandum of February 20, 2001 for more information. (Copy can be found on the JCPA website.)

ESEA Reauthorization: The Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) will be front and center when legislators return to DC later this month. We are concerned that while the reauthorization bill contains many good provisions it also contain sections that will hurt public education and in particular Title I, which provides funds for disadvantaged students. Legislators need to hear that of specific concern are: Title I vouchers or "portability" proposals that divert federal dollars to private or religious schools; "Charter States" or the "Straight A's -- Academic Achievement for All Act," which would shift control of program decisions from local districts and schools to governors, with all program guidelines waived; and charitable choice provisions as listed above.

Tax Exemption for Holocaust Assets Restitution Payments: Senator Fitzgerald (R-IL) along with Sens. Schumer (D-NY), Jeffords (R-VT), Bingaman (D-NM), DeWine (R-OH), Clinton (D-NY), Collins (R-ME), Lieberman (D-CT), McCain (R-AZ), Kerry (D-MA), Feinstein (D-CA), Snowe (R-ME), Boxer (D-CA), Smith(R-OR) and Torriecelli (D-NJ) introduced new legislation last Friday to provide that "no Federal income tax shall be imposed on amounts received by victims of the Nazi regime or their heirs or estates." It would be appropriate to urge your legislators to co-sponsor this bill (S-749) in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day. A House vehicle is still being drafted.

Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEA): The LLEA or this year’s hate crime bill, currently has 51 cosponsors in the Senate and 180 in the House. Urge your legislators to support this critical legislation which would enhance current law. For more information see JCPA memorandum of March 27, 2001.