Welcome to 2025 and the 119th Congress. In this week’s edition of the Action Update, we’ll discuss what we plan to focus upon and with whom we will be working in the coming year. But first,
we’d like to reiterate our congratulations to Speaker Mike Johnson on his reelection to lead the House. Speaker Johnson’s leadership in the face of the anti-Israel and antisemitic voices on both sides of the aisle has been vital to safeguarding the U.S.-Israel relationship. He’s the right man for the job.
Committees Matter
But the Speaker of the House is not an island – quite the opposite – and who sits on what committees, and who leads them, matters a great deal. Speaker Johnson will be aided in his leadership of the House by, among others, Rep. Tom Cole who will serve as Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Brian Mast who will lead the Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Mike Rogers who will chair the Armed Services Committee, and Rep. French Hill who will serve as Chairman of the Financial Services Committee.
All of these individuals have worked throughout their careers in government to ensure that the pro-Israel voice of the American people is reflected in the deeds of the people’s House.
Over on the Senate Side, we’re thrilled that Sen. Tim Scott will be leading the Senate Banking Committee. The junior Senator from South Carolina has been a stalwart ally of CUFI and Israel since he took office, including leading the charge in support of the Antisemitism Awareness Act in the Senate.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will now be led by Sen. James Risch who has been leading the fight in support of the CHAI Act in the Senate and has always made time to ensure his CUFI constituents in Idaho know exactly where he stands on Israel.
And last, but certainly not least, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) will be leading the Armed Services Committee, and like Sen. Scott he has been a strong supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship during his time in Congress, including ensuring the inclusion of key pro-Israel provisions in the annual National Defense Authorization Act.
Issues Matter
CUFI’s mission has never been more starkly clear than over the past year. In the White House, the Jewish state had an ally (?) that oscillates between lukewarm support and transparent acquiescence to anti-Israel political expediency. The entire Middle East has changed dramatically, but the fact that it’s a new year in the Gregorian calendar does not actually mean that everyone starts off fresh.
Antisemitism is still rampant across the United States and around the world. Israel has secured Hamas and Hezbollah’s military defeats, but the hostages are still imprisoned, Hamas is still firing rockets at Israel, Hezbollah is still refusing to truly leave southern Lebanon and the Houthis are still lobbing missiles at Israel.
The 119th Congress needs to strike devastating blows to antisemites at home and abroad. During the coming two years, meaningful legislation combating antisemitism must advance, those who would destroy Israel with boycotts should be barred from federal contracts, and the Tyrants of Tehran must be economically crippled once and for all.
Discipline Matters
All of this is possible. These may seem like grand goals, but are we not a grand country? Is the Senate not the world’s greatest deliberative body? Is Congress incapable of advancing policies which enjoy widespread bipartisan support?
Yes, these are rhetorical questions, for which the answers should all be a resounding “of course!” but looking at the 118th Congress, which was among the least productive in American history, the honest answer to whether or not Congress can function is not “of course,” it’s, “we’ll see…”
There’s reason for optimism. Speaker Johnson’s reelection as well as the Committee Chairmanships named above indicate Congress is organizing itself well. And the House and Senate are taking up legislation to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) as one of their first actions this week. But partisanship and acrimony lurk around every one of the capital’s corners. These wicked instincts should be resisted. Lives are at stake. Winning and/or avoiding conflict requires discipline and focus.
Our elected officials were sent to Washington, first and foremost, to keep us safe. That means standing up to Jew hatred no matter its origins or supporters. We look forward to working with Congress and the White House in the coming year on all of the above.
Sincerely,
The CUFI Action Fund
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