Article

It’s about women’s rights, not state rights

April 12, 2024

The rights, freedoms, and safety of millions of Americans are under constant threat from Republican attacks on reproductive health care. This week, the Arizona Supreme Court reinstated an arcane Civil War-era law banning abortion, from 1864.

This is happening because MAGA Republicans and Donald Trump appointed anti-abortion judges to take away our rights by overturning Roe v. Wade. Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans say abortion access should be left to states, where abortion bans have gone into effect in 21 states since Roe was overturned. The majority have no exceptions for rape or incest. These laws impact more than one in three women of reproductive age, including so many members of our community.

The only way to stop abortion bans is to vote for candidates and ballot measures committed to protecting abortion rights. Donate to JDCA PAC to protect reproductive freedom.

JDCA staff recently traveled to two states where Americans’ rights are under attack. Mil Dranoff, JDCA Senior Director for Development, joined us on a trip to Arizona. She was 20 weeks pregnant with twins at the time. After the Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling, we would not feel comfortable asking any pregnant person to travel to Arizona out of fear for their safety and lack of access to reproductive healthcare. 

Earlier this week, we held two events in Florida, where a near-total abortion ban will go into effect on May 1. People in Florida seeking abortion care and access to the full range of reproductive health care may be forced to travel as far as Ohio to receive care with this six-week abortion ban in place. Why? Because all the states between Florida and Ohio have enacted abortion bans since Roe was overturned.

JDCA will do everything in our power to safeguard our rights. Electing Democrats who share our values of reproductive justice, including access to abortion, is critical to defending our freedoms. That’s why we support The Arizona Abortion Access Act and Floridians Protecting Freedom ballot initiatives to amend each state’s constitution to protect abortion access, and we hope you’ll join us.

TRUMP’S LATEST ANTISEMITIC TIRADE
Another week, another antisemitic tirade from Donald Trump. His daily routine seems to include hurling antisemitic insults at the three-quarters of American Jews who oppose him and his hateful, deranged vision for America.

This week, Trump said on Fox News:

“Any Jewish person that votes for a Democrat or votes for Biden should have their head examined.” 

Trump is the one who needs his head examined if he thinks attacking our intelligence, promising to be a dictator “on day one,” and inviting a neo-Nazi over for dinner will make Jewish Americans want to vote for him. We stand with President Biden because he stands for our values – there’s never been a clearer contrast between two presidential candidates on such a wide range of issues.

Read our full response to Trump’s latest attacks.

JDCA SPEAKING OUT
This week, JDCA joined the Jewish People Policy Institute with Jerusalem Post former editor Yaakov Katz to discuss President Biden and Democrats support for Israel, our recent endorsements in Democratic primaries, and the threat Donald Trump poses to American Jews and to Israel. We encourage you to watch the podcast.

As the political home of Jewish Americans supporting Democrats who share our values, we continue to expand our movement and mobilize Jewish voters across the country.

A consistent theme is emerging when we’re on the ground in states like Florida and Arizona: Jewish voters deeply reject Donald Trump’s extremism, they support President Biden, and they know Jewish voters will play a key role in ensuring Democratic victories. Everyone has a role in ensuring Democrats win this November, and JDCA will do everything we can to deliver victory for Democrats.

Support JDCA PAC today to help us reach more Jewish voters and ensure Democrats win control of the House, retain the Senate, and reelect President Biden.

Shabbat Shalom,

Hon. Ron Klein
Board Chair, Jewish Democratic Council of America

Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America