RAC News Weekly

In this update... 

Strengthen and Pass America’s Climate Security Act

Today begins the first day of Senate debates on landmark climate change legislation that will revolutionize the energy industry: financially punishing major carbon polluters and promoting the clean, renewable energy industry. The United States has historically been the largest emitter of carbon dioxide pollution contributing 25% of the world‘s greenhouse gas emissions despite being only 5% of the world’s population. The substitute amendment to America’s Climate Security Act (S. 3036), sponsored by Senators Boxer, Warner and Lieberman, is a tri-partisan bill that courageously addresses the urgent task of reducing America’s excessive carbon pollution. If enacted, this bill will reduce greenhouse gas emissions 70% by 2050 and generate billions of dollars to assist impoverished communities domestically and internationally already suffering from the affects of a warming world. Immediate action by the federal government is necessary to avert devastating global consequences of unmitigated climate change - passing America’s Climate Security Act is a critical first step in reducing our nation’s contribution to global climate change.

Take Action
In emails, faxes, and phone calls, please contact your Senators and urge them to support a cap on U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at 202.224.3121. You can also send an e-mail by entering your Zip Code.

For more information, please contact Legislative Assistant Joanna Blotner at 202.387.2800.

Support Vital Aid to Israel

Last August, President Bush and Prime Minister Olmert agreed on a new $30 billion, ten-year military assistance package for Israel. This aid is critically important because it enables Israel to confront serious security threats including terrorism and weapons proliferation. Though the deal has been agreed upon, Congress needs to appropriate the money each year, starting with the Fiscal Year 2009. This week, as Prime Minster Olmert comes to Washington and thousands of activists attend the AIPAC Policy Conference, ask your member of Congress to ensure that the FY2009 budget includes full funding of this aid to Israel.

Take Action
In emails, faxes and phone calls, please contact your Senators and Representative and urge them to fully fund military aid to Israel in the fiscal year 2009 Foreign Operations Bill when it come to a vote. The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at 202.224.3121. You can also send an e-mail by entering your Zip Code.

For more information, please contact Legislative Assistant Rebecca Blake Chaikin at 202.387.2800

Combat Global Poverty

The Jubilee Act (H.R. 2634 / S. 2166) would expand eligibility for debt cancellation to 67 countries in the developing world, and help put these countries within reach of the UN Millennium Development Goals to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015. Debt cancellation has proven effective in reducing poverty and expanding opportunity in the developing world. After receiving some debt cancellation, Mozambique was able to vaccinate 500,000 children; Burundi eliminated school fees in 2005, allowing an additional 300,000 children to gain access to education. The House of Representatives has already passed the bill and it is now under consideration in the Senate.

Take Action
In emails, faxes, and phone calls, please contact your Senators and urge them to cosponsor the Jubilee Act (H.R. 2634 / S. 2166). The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at 202.224.3121. You can also send an e-mail by entering your Zip Code.

For more information, please contact Legislative Assistant Ben Weyl at 202.387.2800.

Please consider opportunities to support these and other critical issues.

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose more than 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 1800 Reform rabbis.

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Published by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism