Follow us

© 2021 JNS, All Rights Reserved Concept, design & development by RGB Media. Powered by Salamandra

The U.S. Capitol building. Credit: Martin Falbisoner via Wikimedia Commons.

Meet the Newbie

JNS Exclusive: A look at new members of Congress, and their views on the State of Israel.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.). Credit: Jake Auchincloss page (auchincloss.house.gov/).

Massachusetts Rep. Jake Auchincloss stands strongly against BDS, Iranian hostility

“Anti-BDS legislation is about commercial activities, not about people’s ability to speak,” says the 33-year-old. “People are free to criticize Israel; that is a protected right. But organized boycotting and divestment with the support of state, local or federal government is not acceptable.”

Jackson Richman

January 29, 2021

Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.). Source: Michelle Steel for Congress.

Michelle Steel of California looks to Israel’s technology and innovation, seeks partnerships

As for anti-Semitism, the 65-year-old Korean American notes “that is unacceptable. It’s the same as a hate crime. I’m the one who passed a resolution last year when I was chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors that hate crimes are not acceptable.”

Jackson Richman

January 28, 2021

Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.). Source: Andrew Clyde for Congress/Facebook.

Military veteran Andrew Clyde of Georgia looks forward to first trip to Israel

In 1994, he said he almost made it to Haifa on the USS aircraft carrier “Saratoga” and now expects to be part of a trip with other congressional members.

Jackson Richman

January 21, 2021

Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.). Source: Marilyn Strickland/Facebook.

Washington State’s Marilyn Strickland supports Mideast ally Israel, warns of Iran threat

The first black U.S. representative elected from the Pacific Northwest—and one of the first Korean American women elected to Congress—notes that the Abraham Accords are “good for democracy” and “good for economies.”

Jackson Richman

January 20, 2021

Rep.-elect Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa.). Source: Mariannette Miller-Meeks/Facebook.

Ophthalmologist elected to Congress clearly sees import of US-Israel relationship

Mariannette Miller-Meeks notes parallels when it comes to entrepreneurship, economic growth, democratic principles such as the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, respect for private property rights and a similar belief in universal human rights.

Jackson Richman

January 15, 2021

Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.). Source: Mondaire for Congress.

Mondaire Jones of New York seeks to call out anti-Semitism ‘wherever it exists’

He advocates education for those in the K-12 space about the history of anti-Semitism in the United States and throughout the world, including the lessons of the Holocaust, and believes in allocating security assistance to Jewish nonprofits, and other centers and synagogues.

Jackson Richman

January 14, 2021

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.). Credit: Nancy Mace/Facebook.

South Carolina’s Nancy Mace: From Waffle House to US House

The 43-year-old mother of two says she leans on the Jewish community “to make sure I understand the issues that pop up, whether that’s dealing with anti-Semitism or issues in the region with Israel.”

Jackson Richman

January 12, 2021

Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.). Credit: Barry Moore Republican for Congress/Facebook.

Alabama’s Barry Moore: Rise in anti-Semitism reflects ‘moral decline in our country’

The newly installed legislator feels that “we’ve lost our way and haven’t taught our kids very well.”

Jackson Richman

January 4, 2021

Rep.-elect Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa). Source: Ashley Hinson/Facebook.

Iowa’s Ashley Hinson supports Israel through ‘faith, family and freedom’

The incoming House member says of the media and bias: “You need the full perspective on a story; sometimes, that may be missing. Making sure that everybody understands the full context of what they’re reporting on—the relationships between countries and history.”

Jackson Richman

December 30, 2020