April 12, 1999 Vol.1, No. 1

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

BUDGET RESOLUTION DEBATE Returning today from their two-week spring break, Congress has as one of its major priorities the 2000 Budget (H Con Res 68;S Con Res 20). A reconciling resolution will be necessary since each house passed separate - and differing - While Congressional leadership originally had hoped to finish before the April 15th deadline, that outcome may be in doubt. House and Senate versions are problematic for JCPA priorities. Although it is non-binding, the budget resolution sets the "blueprint" for action by the appropriations committees. The JCPA continues to follow this process very carefully as we anticipate several difficult appropriations committee battles.

BUDGET IMPACT ON FOREIGN AID The Campaign to Preserve US Global Leadership, a coalition (Including the JCPA) which supports the foreign aid budget will be meet tomorrow (Tuesday, 4/13/99) with Congressional Leadership and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton to discuss the budget and the implications of cuts in foreign aid.

KOS0VO CRISIS The worsening situation in Yugoslavia will take center stage this week, beginning with a bipartisan meeting scheduled at the White House this evening. A program with Eli Wiesel entitled "The Perils of Indifference: Lessons Learned From a Violent Century" is also schedules at the White House. Members of Congress just returning from recess are anxious to discuss use of ground forces and the Administration's strategy for the conflict.

HURRICANE RELIEF THREATENS CRITICAL NEEDS Conferees are set to meet to iron out differences in the House and Senate versions of the Emergency Supplemental Bill (HR 1141; S544) which provides assistance to victims of Hurricane Mitch, aid to American farmers and aid to Jordan. The Senate version provides funding by cutting critical programs such as food stamps, deferred spending in section 8 housing, and funding for the INS. The President has threatened to veto the bill if these offsets are contained in the final legislation. The JCPA has signed onto several coalition letters to Congress urging them to provide these critical funds without the dangerous offsets in the Senate bill.

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

JCPA COMMITTEE ON RACE ETHNICITY AND PUBLIC POLICY MEETS On Friday, April 16th, the meeting will feature presentations regarding religious principles and cultural history which undergird Jewish concern for racial justice. Speakers include Rabbi Barry Freundel, Congregation Kesher Israel, Washington D.C. and Rabbi Balfour Brickner, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, New York City. Contact Karen Senter (ksenter@the jcpa.org) for more information.