Democrats are Delivering for Jewish Americans and Israel
This week, Democrats spoke out against the troubling rise of antisemitism, passed legislation to provide aid to Ukraine, fulfilled President Biden’s promise to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome, and continued to hold Putin accountable. They led a successful effort to provide $13.6 billion for Ukraine, $4.8 billion for Israel, reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), increase funding for cancer research and schools, reform the Postal Service, and increase funding for our troops.
It’s been a busy week. Keep reading for more about how Democrats are delivering for Jewish Americans and fighting for our values.
DEMS PASS IRON DOME FUNDING, REJECT ANTISEMITISM
This week, Congress finally passed a government spending package that includes $1 billion to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. President Biden promised these funds to Israel on May 20, 2021. The House passed this funding in September with nearly unanimous support, but despite unanimous support among Senate Democrats, the legislation never made it to President Biden’s desk because Rand Paul and Senate Republicans recklessly prevented the funding from coming to a vote. The funding bill that passed in the Senate and House reaffirms America’s commitment to Israel’s security and includes $4.8 billion in military assistance for Israel, including the additional $1 billion in funding for Iron Dome.
Also this week, the House passed a resolution rejecting antisemitism in America, and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) called out Republican Reps. Marjory Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar for consorting with white nationalists, stating that “It should not have to be said that antisemitism has no place in America. Sadly, we must say it now – and say it loudly and clearly – because there are those who need to hear it. This resolution makes clear that the House rejects antisemitism forcefully and completely.”
GOP OBSTRUCTS LIPSTADT CONFIRMATION…AGAIN
Unfortunately, Senate Republicans are more concerned about playing politics than combating antisemitism. On Tuesday, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) blocked a committee confirmation vote for Dr. Deborah Lipstadt to serve as Special Envoy for Antisemitism. By blocking Dr. Lipstadt’s vote, Johnson is standing in the way of U.S. efforts to combat antisemitism globally. Take action with JDCA. Tell your Senators you demand Dr. Lipstadt be confirmed, and read JDCA in The Forward with a message to Senator Johnson: “[He] can remain on the wrong side of history and choose to oppose Dr. Lipstadt, but she deserves — and the Jewish community expects — a vote.”
DEMOCRATS LEADING AND STANDING WITH UKRAINE
While Republican leaders like Donald Trump and Madison Cawthorn continue to praise Putin and spread his propaganda, Democrats are leading and taking action. The sanctions and ban on Russian oil are wreaking havoc on Russia’s economy. JDCA CEO Halie Soifer spoke to The Independent and Politico about the Vice President’s trip to Eastern Europe, where she’s providing assurances to our allies and announcing additional U.S. assistance to help with the humanitarian crisis.
We have been horrified by Russia’s unrelenting attacks on innocent Ukrainian civilians, including its recent attacks on a material hospital and Holocaust memorial. Read JDCA Board Member Tom Kahn’s op-ed in the Times of Israel about Russia’s attack on Babyn Yar, which he recently visited, and the “poignant symbolism that… the murderous dictator, Vladimir Putin, would damage this very memorial site by engaging in the type of terror for which the Babyn Yar Memorial was built to protest.”
The government spending package that passed this week provided $13.6 billion in assistance for Ukraine. Join Jewish Dems in telling your members of Congress that you support this emergency assistance humanitarian aid and military equipment for Ukraine and NATO allies, and thank them for their support.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Shabbat Shalom,
Hon. Ron Klein,
Board Chair, Jewish Democratic Council of America
Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America