Republicans out of Step with Jewish Communty: NJDC email

[SammyBlue]

Over nine days, Republicans divulged that their priorities are not the same as those of the Jewish community. What follows is a brief recap of a revealing week.


Wednesday, July 12
Hezbollah terrorists cross into Israeli territory, kidnapping two Israeli soldiers and killing seven others.

Democrats, led by Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (NV) , House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA), Senate Democratic Whip Richard Durbin (IL) , and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) immediately express their full support for Israel and call on Hezbollah to return the soldiers and end terrorist attacks on Israel.


Thursday, July 13
Hezbollah fires countless missiles into northern Israeli towns.

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi signs off on an Israel solidarity resolution and calls on House Republican Leadership to pass the resolution before adjourning for the week.

Republicans reject Democrat's request and adjourn the House of Representatives until July 17 without considering the resolution.

Democratic support for Israel is overwhelming.


Friday, July 14
Israel continues to be hit by Hezbollah missiles.

The Senate does not pass an Israel solidarity resolution before adjourning for the week because two Republican Senators, including Republican Senator and Chairman of the Armed Services Committee John Warner (VA), object to a line in the resolution urging the President "to continue fully supporting Israel as Israel exercises its right of self defense in Lebanon and Gaza."

Nothing from the House.


Saturday, July 15
Israel continues to be attacked by Hezbollah terrorists.

The Associated Press reports that Republican Senator Warner considers Israel's acts of self defense "extraordinary" and urges the Administration to call on Israel to use restraint because Israeli actions could "affect our operations in Iraq..."

Still nothing from the House.


Sunday, July 16
Haifa is attacked.

The House is still silent on Israel despite House Democratic Leader Pelosi having signed off earlier in the week - for the second time - on a resolution expressing U.S. solidarity with Israel and calling for its immediate passage.

Republican Senators are still holding up an Israel solidarity resolution.


Monday, July 17
Haifa and cities north are all but shut down because of continued attacks. The Israeli military reports shooting down a long-range missile that was possibly aimed at Tel Aviv.

Over 3000 right-wing extreme activists converge on Washington in support of Republican legislation hindering life-saving stem cell research, prohibiting gay marriage, and eviscerating the First Amendment.

Republican Senators finally let the Senate vote on Israel solidarity resolution. The resolution passes.

Still nothing from the House.


Tuesday, July 18
Hezbollah terrorists continue to attack Israel.

89 percent of House Republicans vote in favor of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. 82 percent of Democrats oppose it.

House Democrats block Republican efforts to limit life saving stem cell research techniques.
Still nothing from the House.


Wednesday, July 19
Hezbollah militants clash with Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon.

President Bush vetoes life-saving stem cell legislation. The veto, his first since taking office more than five years ago, "sets back embryonic stem cell research another year or so," according to Republican Senator and former Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (UT).
House Democrats attempt to override the veto, but nearly 78 percent of Republicans oppose it and the critical bill dies.

Republicans finally permit the House to begin debating an Israel solidarity resolution at 6:55 PM, but not before pushing through a bill stripping the Judiciary of its constitutional right to hear cases regarding the Pledge of Allegiance and which will "severely limit the rights of religious minorities."
The House adjourns without passing the solidarity resolution.
Thursday, July 20

Eight days have passed since the conflict in Israel began. Israeli towns from Haifa to the northern border are being bombarded by missile attacks.

FINALLY, after a week of playing politics with the resolution, Republicans permit the House to vote on an Israel solidarity resolution at 12:10 PM.

It has never been clearer that the priorities of the Republican Party are not the priorities of the Jewish community.