Dear Friends,

 

During this Jewish High Holy Day season, I’d like to wish you and your family a sweet, happy and healthy New Year. As someone with a deep and personal connection to the Jewish faith, I am moved by your commitment to social justice and tikkun olam, repairing the world.

 

I stand with you in this mission to heal that which is broken and would like to thank you for your continued efforts to make our community a better place for all. As we approach this New Year, may the spirit of tzedakah, charity, flow through all of us in our efforts to make this a more just world.

 

Regardless of how you pursue social justice, whether it is in your advocacy for women’s rights, a fair working wage, comprehensive immigration reform, pursuing peace for Israel, or just lending a helping hand to those in need, let us stand up together at the door of this New Year and say “hineni” here I am, for the most vulnerable among us.

 

I wish you all l'shanah tovah and l'shalom.

 

 

 

Last week, I voted NO against U.S. military action in the war-torn nation of Syria. I released the following statement explaining my reasoning behind my vote:

 

“My constituents have been crystal clear in their staunch opposition to arming ‘moderate’ factions in Syria. Despite my support for the Administration’s targeted operations against ISIL forces to date, I cannot support a plan that fails to include strong diplomatic, political, and economic components. I fear the consequences of pursuing such a plan that rejects these critical elements will have lasting consequences for America and her interests for years to come.

 

“I agree with President Obama that we must remain vigilant as threats emerge but we must do so in a manner that effectively addresses America’s long term goals in the region. Although I commend the President in his pursuit in building an international coalition to combat the threat posed by ISIL, the United States can ill afford to be the sole leader in such an effort. As a nation, we must engage a true partnership with our global allies, grounded in international cooperation, where the burden is equally shared between partners. We must refrain from repeating the same mistakes of previous administrations.”  

 

 

 

The 7th Circuit’s ruling on Wisconsin’s voter photo ID law has caused an uproar across our great state. The timing of this decision couldn’t have come at a worse time, leading to much confusion for Wisconsin voters as we quickly approach the general election on November 4, 2014. In response to the ruling, I sent a letter to Kevin J. Kennedy of the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board and released the following statement:

 

"This decision is a grave injustice for those who lack the necessary photo identification that this law requires. Creating unnecessary barriers at the polls, barriers that would significantly impact low-income, elderly, and racial and ethnic minority voters, is a blatant violation of the basic principles of American democracy.

 

"I am disappointed and appalled that Republican-appointed judges on the Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit are permitting Governor Walker’s discriminatory voter ID law to go forward. The decision is even more frustrating knowing that the preeminent judge on the 7th Circuit, Judge Richard Posner, has publically stated his mistake in supporting voter ID laws in the past, calling them 'a type of law now widely regarded as a means of voter suppression rather than of fraud prevention.'

 

"I agree with Judge Posner and firmly believe that the Wisconsin voter ID law is meant to suppress voter participation."

 

 

 

This month, our country celebrated the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act legislation, which President Bill Clinton signed into law on September 13, 1994. As the author of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, I gave the following speech on the floor of the House of Representatives to honor this momentous occasion:

 

 

On September 4th, I joined Milwaukee’s fast food workers as they walked off the job to demand a pay raise to $15 per hour and the right to unionize. During this nationwide event, I exercised my constitutional right to peacefully assemble and protest. My participation in this act of civil disobedience led to my arrest, as well as the arrest of 26 Milwaukee fast food workers. During the protest, I issued the following statement:

 

"I take great pride in supporting Milwaukee workers as they risk arrest in pursuit of a brighter tomorrow for their families. I’ve read their letters, I’ve heard their calls, and I’ve listened to their stories. I understand their struggle, but more importantly, I see their drive to fight for a future that is equal to their talents and worthy of their dreams."

 

"In Milwaukee, we value our workers and their contributions to ensure our nation’s prosperity and well being. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about our governor. Scott Walker’s tactics and priorities portray an out-of-touch executive who somehow forgot how vital a thriving labor force is for our economic security."

 

"We have a lot to be proud of here in Milwaukee. We’re proud of the victories we’ve scored for workers’ rights in Wisconsin and across our country. We’re proud of the fights we fought, and the people we fought for. We’re proud of the movements we’ve created, movements born in Milwaukee and adopted on every Main Street throughout the land. We’re proud of our strong labor traditions and I’m proud to stand behind our strong and resilient workers as they fight for fair wages."

 

 

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