National Politics

Four Times John McCain went Maverick with his Jewish Friends

by Ron Kampeas, JTA | Jul 20, 2017 | National, National Politics, News, Politics

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. — war hero, presidential candidate, force of nature — has brain cancer, his family said Wednesday night, and he is garnering well-wishes from across the spectrum. More than a few are from Jews: Israeli Prime Minister...

At Rally, Sen. Bernie Sanders Endorses Benjamin Jealous for Gov.

by Peter Arnold | Jul 13, 2017 | Maryland, National, National Politics, News, Politics

At a July 13 rally at the Silver Spring Civic Center, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) continued to stoke the “Feel the Bern” movement while endorsing Benjamin Jealous in his bid to be Maryland’s next governor. “We need now more than ever, at the statewide...

4 Things to Know about Donald Trump Jr.’s Jewish Lawyer

by Josefin Dolsten, JTA | Jul 11, 2017 | National, National Politics, News

NEW YORK (JTA) — There’s another Jewish lawyer representing the Trump family. Donald Trump Jr. has hired New York-based attorney Alan Futerfas to represent him in investigations about Russia-related contacts and election meddling, Reuters reported on Monday. The news...

Al Franken Learned About Justice from his Childhood Rabbi

by Curt_Schleier, JTA | Jul 4, 2017 | National, National Politics, News

(JTA) — In February 2015, Sen. Jim Inhofe carried a snowball on to the floor of the Senate to prove global warming did not exist. Everyone knows “it is very, very cold outside,” the Oklahoma Republican said. “Unseasonable.” That, said Al Franken, gave him an...

Former Anti-Semitism Envoys Call on Congress to Fund the Office

by JTA | Jun 27, 2017 | National, National Politics, News

NEW YORK (JTA) — Two former officials who served as the State Department’s special envoy to combat anti-Semitism called on President Donald Trump to fill the position and said they expected Congress to fund the envoy’s office in the coming budget. The office of the...

Jewish Tech Millionaire Could be 1st Openly Gay Gov. of Colorado

by Josefin Dolsten, JTA | Jun 26, 2017 | National, National Politics, News

(JTA) — Jared Polis is already on to the next thing. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has looked at his resume. By the age of 25, he had founded three companies, which would shortly make him a multimillionaire. He then turned his focus to...

Following Assault, Montana Congressman Donates $50K to Protect Journalists

by JTA | Jun 8, 2017 | National, National Politics, News

(JTA) — Republican congressman-elect Greg Gianforte of Montana has apologized for body slamming a Jewish reporter for The Guardian, a London-based newspaper, on the eve of a special election. Gianforte late on Wednesday also announced a $50,000 donation to the...

Clinton Warns Against Isolationism During Baltimore Talk

by Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief | Jun 6, 2017 | Baltimore, Israel, National Politics, News

At times, Maya James could only swallow hard and breathe deep when realizing she was on a dais sitting right next to former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton. “I was terrified. She was the first woman I’ve ever voted for,” said James, a Columbia...

How Bloomberg is Defying Trump’s Withdrawal from Paris Climate Accords

by JTA | Jun 2, 2017 | International, National, National Politics, News

NEW YORK (JTA) — Following the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris climate accords, Michael Bloomberg is coordinating a group of American governors, mayors, universities and businesses that remain committed to fulfilling the United States’ obligations under the...

Jewish Groups Lambaste Trump’s Pullout from Climate Accords

by JTA | Jun 2, 2017 | International, National, National Politics, Politics

(JTA) — President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will withdraw the United States from the landmark 2015 global agreement to fight climate change, earning statements of dismay from critics, including Jewish groups who regard the pullout as a diplomatic and...