September 21, 1999 Vol.1, No. 20

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

Senate to Take Up INS Restructuring: The Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration will take up the INS Reform and Border Security Act of 1999 (S. 1563) on Thursday. Introduced by Senator Spencer Abraham (MI) and co-sponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy (MA) and Chuck Hagel (NE), the bill would split INS adjudication and enforcement functions to create two separate chains of command. The Washington Refugee Strategy Group convened by the United Jewish Communities' Washington Action Office supports the legislation with a number of reservations. On the House side, the Rogers-Smith-Reyes INS restructuring bill (HR 2528) is proceeding. Immigration activists have expressed serious reservations about the approach this bill takes to INS restructuring. Contact reva@thejcpa.org for more information.

House Hearing on School Vouchers: The House Budget Committee will hold a hearing on state, local, and private education plans on Thursday. Those testifying are expected to concentrate on such issues as parental and community involvement, academic curricula, and school safety. Scheduled to speak: Senator George Voinovich, (OH) Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Pennsylvania State Representative Dwight Evans and U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley.

Congress Checks Out Allegations of Corruption in Russia: The House Banking and Financial Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a series of hearings investigating allegations of Russian corruption and money laundering this week. While the hearings are intended to focus on corruption in Russia and not purported lapses by American banks or the International Monetary Fund those factors are sure to be on the minds of members. Some in the House leadership have suggested that future IMF loans be suspended until a Congressionally appointed commission issues a report. Last week, the House passed legislation (HR1883) by a vote of 419-0, over the objections of the Administration, which aims to punish Russia and other countries for assisting Iranian weapons development.

Congress Checks Out Allegations of Corruption in Russia: The House Banking and Financial Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a series of hearings investigating allegations of Russian corruption and money laundering this week. While the hearings are intended to focus on corruption in Russia and not purported lapses by American banks or the International Monetary Fund those factors are sure to be on the minds of members. Some in the House leadership have suggested that future IMF loans be suspended until a Congressionally appointed commission issues a report. Last week, the House passed legislation (HR1883) by a vote of 419-0, over the objections of the Administration, which aims to punish Russia and other countries for assisting Iranian weapons development.

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

Videotaped copies of last week's JCPA/ Claims Conference satellite broadcast regarding Swiss banks litigation questionnaires are available by contacting koded@thejcpa.org.

Checking In With the Field: A flurry of conference calls on this week's agenda… the September 29th opening of the Israel Pavilion at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center… Update on the Religious Liberty Protection Act… the first organizing call of the JCPA's Committee on Public Policy Formulation. Contact JCPA's New York office for information regarding these calls.