Washington Wire
June, 2001 Vol. 3, No. 3

MISSION TO WASHINGTON
The Union's first Leadership Mission to Washington to take place under the Bush presidency and 107th Congress is slated for Tuesday, June 19. This one-day mission is an exciting and intensive opportunity for you to interact with key policymakers. We will meet with members of the House, enjoy a luncheon with senators and receive briefings from senior White House officials. This is a crucial time to come and advocate on behalf of Israel, as well as in support of education and religious liberty issues that are important to our community. To register for this event - one that is critical for making our voice heard in the capital - call our office at 202-857-2770, or visit the website at http://www.ou.org/public/statements/2001/mission01.htm

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

Education Policy
The House of Representatives has completed its work on re-authorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Several attempts to pass modest school voucher programs failed in committee and on the House floor. The Senate will return to work on this legislation next month and will also address a modest school choice demonstration amendment; the vote on that proposal is unlikely to succeed. Nevertheless, we succeeded in securing a continued commitment to the equitable participation of parochial school teachers and students in supplementary educational service programs. A significant development coming out of the rejection of school choice proposals has been an increased interest by key legislators and Bush Administration officials in enacting some form of education-related tax credit that would benefit parochial school families. The Washington Office has been involved in discussions with key officials to develop such proposals.

Faith-Based Initiative
Efforts continue to enact legislation that will expand the support received by charitable organizations through private donations as well as the ability for such organizations to compete for government social service grants. Legislation has been introduced in both houses of congress that would expand the tax incentives for charitable donations. In the House, legislation has been introduced that would also allow faith-based agencies to apply for government grants while retaining their religious character. Senate and House committees will be holding hearings on this issue this month, and Nathan Diament is slated to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding this matter on June 6. An opinion essay by Diament addressing a critical aspect of this topic was published in The Washington Post.

Institute for Public Affairs Phone: 202-857-2770
1640 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. Fax: 202-331-9161
Washington, DC 20036 Email: ipadc@ou.org

Workplace Religious Freedom Act
We continue to work toward securing greater protection for the religious needs of employees in the workplace. Such protections are needed to secure the ability of employees to observe religious holidays and wear religious garb if not already allowed to do so by their employer. We are still in the process of discussing sponsorship of this legislation with key members of the House and Senate and have opened a dialogue on this topic with the White House as well.

Cloning Research & Public Policy
A significant issue coming onto the public policy agenda is the issue of cloning research, particularly with regard to the cloning of human cells. Some lawmakers believe this scientific activity is morally offensive and seek to ban it, while others think it is critical to human health research. The OU's views on this subject have been sought on this matter and we are convening a working group of rabbis, scientists and OU leaders to develop a position on this issue.

CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM UPDATE

This year's class of IPA Washington Interns arrived in the capital this week. After an opening orientation held at Kesher Israel Congregation, the interns have begun work in their assigned offices. A wide array of speakers have been scheduled throughout the summer and the interns will participate in the OU Leadership Mission to Washington mentioned above.

SENATOR JOSEPH LIEBERMAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM

The inaugural class of Lieberman Scholars will conclude their first year as participants in the Washington Mission. The application for next year's class was June 1 and we anticipate another strong group for year two of the program. Three of the original five interns will be learning at yeshivot in Israel next year and two will continue their studies in the States. The program has proven to be a success and we look forward to welcoming our second class of Scholars in the Fall. For additional information on the Lieberman Scholars program please visit our website at http://www.ou.org/NCSY/projects/lieb01.htm.

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