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January 2021
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Friend,
We are glad and grateful to see Congress getting back to work. That’s how it should be, because the new Congress has many critical issues to address, from the economy and the pandemic, to national security. As the 117th Congress begins its important business, America’s relationship with Israel is an issue that unites people across party lines for the good of our country and the world.
There is strong support for the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress. Thankfully, support for the U.S.-Israel relationship is one issue on which members of both parties have long agreed. Seventy candidates endorsed by Pro-Israel America won their elections on November 3rd, joining many other strong supporters of the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress.
Anti-Israel voices remain a small (though vocal) minority. A few new members of Congress have expressed opposition to the U.S.-Israel relationship, joining a small but outspoken cohort of returning members. Incoming Congresswoman Cori Bush (D-MO) , for example, has expressed support for the Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment movement and newly-elected Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL) has expressed support for efforts to restrict and condition U.S. aid to Israel. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) , who recently was re-elected, and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) , who is up for election in 2022, both oppose U.S. aid and military assistance to Israel.
In the House, the vast majority [[link removed]] of proven pro-Israel supporters fended off challengers in highly competitive races , including Reps Michael McCaul (R-TX), Kay Granger (R-TX), John Katko (R-NY), Don Bacon (R-NE), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Elaine Luria (D-VA), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).
And, many newly elected House members have expressed strong support for the U.S.-Israel relationship , including Reps. Kathy Manning (D-NC), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Peter Meijer (R-MI) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY). Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), who declared that he has no interest [[link removed]] in joining “the Squad,” cited his strong support for Israel as a key distinction.
In the Senate, after very competitive races, there are both new and returning members who support the U.S.-Israel relationship. Gary Peters (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are returning to the Senate. And, newly-elected Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), as well as Alex Padilla (D-CA) who was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Vice President Kamala Harris, have expressed their support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.
The 117th Congress will have a critical role to play in building upon recent successes in the Middle East like the signing of the Abraham Accords, as well as shaping how we respond to global challenges including a hostile Iran. We head into 2021 confident that the strong bipartisan coalition of pro-Israel supporters in Congress will continue to adopt policies that recognize the importance of a robust U.S.-Israel relationship in guaranteeing a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure future for all.
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Swearing in: Congratulations to the 70 candidates Pro-Israel America endorsed for the 2020 elections who were sworn in on Jan 3rd!
Key Committees and Chairs Named:
House Foreign Affairs Committee Leadership: Chairman Gregory Meeks (D) NY-5, Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R) TX-10. Pro-Israel America endorsed both Meeks and McCaul in the 2020 election cycle and released a statement [[link removed]] congratulating Chairman Meeks on his new appointment as he took over the gavel from departing Chairman Eliot Engel.
House Appropriations Committee Leadership: Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D) CT-3, Ranking Member Kay Granger (R) TX-12. Pro-Israel America endorsed Ranking Member Granger and was active in her race to fight off a primary challenger. Chairwoman DeLauro, who did not face a serious challenge in her recent election, has longstanding relationships with members of the pro-Israel community, and we look forward to working with her.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Leadership: As Democrats take leadership of the Senate, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) will once again become Chairman and Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), the outgoing chairman will become the Ranking Member. Pro-Israel America endorsed Senator Risch in the 2020 election cycle, and congratulated long-time pro-Israel champion Senator Menendez, who was not on the ballot in 2020, on his new role.
Senate Appropriations Committee Leadership: As the Senate transitions to Democratic leadership, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is expected to assume Chairmanship of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, and Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) is expected to become Vice Chairman. Neither Senator Leahy nor Shelby were on the ballot in 2020.
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Thank you again for making the 2020 election cycle such a success for the pro-Israel community. We couldn’t have done this without your support. But we can’t rest just yet. Four special elections to fill vacant and soon-to-be vacant seats in the House of Representatives are expected in the coming months.
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But we can’t rest just yet. Four special elections to fill vacant and soon-to-be vacant seats in the House of Representatives are expected in the coming months.
• Louisiana-02: Rep. Cedric Richmond (D) is resigning from Congress to serve in the Biden Administration. The nonpartisan primary election will take place on March 20, and if needed, there will be a general election on April 24. Already, three Democrats have declared intentions to run, and others are signaling their consideration in this heavily Democratic district.
• Louisiana-05: Incoming Republican Congressman-elect Luke Letlow passed away from Covid-19 before taking office. So far one Democrat, Sandra Cristophe, and two Republicans, Julia Letlow, the recent widow of the congressman-elect, and Allen Guillory, have expressed interest in running in this solid Republican district.
• New Mexico-01: This seat will become vacant if Rep. Deborah Haaland (D) is confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Interior. When the seat is vacated, the Governor of New Mexico will call for a special election after the parties select their nominees. Three Democrats and one Republican have already declared intentions to run in this Democratic leaning district.
• Ohio-11: This seat will become vacant if Rep. Marcia Fudge is confirmed as the new Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Several Democrats have expressed their intentions to run in this rock-solid Democratic district. One of the announced candidates is former state senator and Bernie Sanders 2020 Campaign Co-Chair Nina Turner, who has spoken critically about the U.S.-Israel relationship. She was recently endorsed by Justice Democrats. [[link removed]]
Pro-Israel America is reaching out to candidates in these races to consider endorsements. Look out for more information in the coming weeks!
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Avi Mayer [[link removed]]
Save the date! More information and invitations to come, we hope you will join us for informative discussions with leaders from the pro-Israel community!
A View from Israel: Impact of the Abraham Accords Today and Tomorrow, discussion with Avi Meyer, February 2, 2021, 12:00 PM Eastern Time. Avi Meyer, Global Communications for the American Jewish Committee and former spokesman for the Jewish Agency, will discuss the Abraham Accords and their emerging impacts on the ground in Israel with Pro-Israel America Executive Director Jeff Mendelsohn. Check your inbox for an invite soon!
Other upcoming speakers include Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham of St. Louis and Michael Eisenstadt of the Washington Institute.
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Pro-Israel Executive Director Jeff Mendelsohn on Priorities for Congress: Jeff Mendelsohn recently spoke with Mike Wagenheim at i24 News about topline agenda items for Congress – watch more here [[link removed]] !
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Responding to Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s Comments: “Once again, Rep. Rashida Tlaib is spreading dangerous misinformation and lies. Here are the facts: Israel is offering the vaccine to all of its citizens, including Arab Israelis, and the Palestinian Authority turned down Israel's help in obtaining COVID-19 #vaccines.” Read our full statement here [[link removed]] .
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Pro-Israel America is incredibly lucky to have active, engaged members and donors like you! We are gearing up for the special elections and for 2022 midterm elections – which have already started. We need your help. Will you donate to Pro-Israel America PAC’s Pro-Israel Defense Fund today? [[link removed]] There is already an outspoken anti-Israel candidate running to fill a potentially vacant seat in Congress. That means there could be one more anti-Israel member of Congress later this year. We’re already gearing up to fight back. Will you join us? [[link removed]]
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Do you have friends or family who also support the U.S.-Israel relationship? If so, we would love to make sure they know about Pro-Israel America!
Please forward this newsletter to three friends – and ask them to join us by signing up here! [[link removed]]
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Donations to Pro-Israel America PAC are not deductible for federal income tax purposes as charitable contributions.
Paid for by Pro-Israel America and not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
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