In The News

International negotiators assembled in Austria have announced the final terms of the Iranian nuclear deal. The purpose of the deal is to limit Iran's nuclear program to something that is small, safe, and peaceful — and to impose lots of invasive inspections to make sure Iran is keeping to its end of the deal. In exchange, Iran gets relief from some of the economic sanctions that have crippled its economy. Both sides, the thinking goes, also get to avert a war.

At JAC, we are united with the Jewish community in our fervent desire to see the threat from a nuclear-Iran eliminated through diplomatic means. The U.S. has always had a strong commitment to Israel's security, a goal that has always united the two countries. As Congress reviews the details of the deal, it is important they remain committed to maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, free from partisanship and that discussions are "rigorous and fact based."

Guttmacher Institute | July 1, 2015

So far this year, states have enacted 51 new abortion restrictions; this brings the number of restrictions enacted since 2010 to 282. States have enacted more restrictions during the first half of this year than during all of last year.

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Jerusalem Post | Tovah Lazaroff  | July 3, 2015

The United States was the only country to support Israel and to oppose a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on Friday to hold the Jewish state and Palestinian armed groups accountable for human rights violations during its war with Hamas in Gaza last summer.

Today's Supreme Court ruling will continue to improve the quality of life for millions of women and families. By ensuring that everyone in our country has access to basic health care, including reproductive care, cancer screenings, mammograms, and family planning services, we are ensuring a basic right in our country.

President Obama's Remarks on the Supreme Court Ruling on ACA 

White House | June 25, 2015

David Harris AJC Executive Director | June 14, 2015

It's appalling to see how Israel is treated by a totally different standard than other countries in the international system. Of course, Israel deserves scrutiny, as does every other nation. But it also merits equal treatment -- nothing more, nothing less.

First, Israel is the only UN member state whose very right to exist is under constant challenge.

Sen. Lindsey Graham "dying for debate" on 20-week abortion ban
By Laura Bassett, Huffington Post | 6/11/15

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) reintroduced a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and said he would "insist" that the bill get a vote in the Senate. The House earlier passed the ban. The bill is based on the disputed theory  that fetuses can feel pain at 20 weeks.

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By John Fritze The Baltimore Sun |June 11, 2015

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the Montgomery County Democrat who is running for the Senate, introduced legislation Thursday to encourage states to toughen handgun licensing requirements — an effort he said would reduce homicides.