Representatives from ADL’s Pacific Southwest Region met with members of Congress during the August recess to discuss important legislative priorities for ADL and the Jewish community. Regional Director Amanda Susskind, Assistant Director Sarah Matos, and Board Members Lenore Wax, Vince Gonzales and Howard Landau discussed important legislation, including efforts to restore voting rights, the Equality Act, and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
In the meetings with Congressmember Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and Congressmember Judy Chu (D-Los Angeles), the ADL delegation expressed appreciation for both members’ leadership and support of the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2015 (VRAA) and the Equality Act.
The group urged both legislators to condemn global anti-Semitism and support House Resolution 130. This resolution is one of several Congressional responses to ADL’s Global 100 Survey on anti-Semitism which documented a surge of anti-Semitic attitudes around the world last summer.
The group also discussed the JCPOA, outlining ADL’s concerns with the Iran deal, bringing to both members’ attention concerns regarding the rhetoric around the deal. In both meetings, the group emphasized the importance of the “day after” responsibilities of Congress, reminding members that there is an opportunity for bipartisan collaboration on a series of policy initiatives to address Iran’s agenda of bigotry and violence, issues on which there is widespread agreement. ADL believes Congress must recognize the strategic challenges posed by Iran and address them with new consensus and strategy that reflects our democratic values and highest ideals.
The delegation heard from both Congress members about the work their offices are doing. Representative Bass represents California’s 37th district, which includes Culver City, West Los Angeles, and many of the city’s South Los Angeles neighborhoods. Representative Chu represents California’s 27th district, which covers many communities in the San Gabriel Foothills including Pasadena.