Throughout the 118th Congress, Hadassah members made their voices heard, with nearly 400 advocates meeting with 25 legislative offices in Washington DC and in their home congressional districts to advocate for policies to advance the US-Israel relationship, combat rising antisemitism and improve women’s health.
At the recent Toast to Hadassah Advocacy event, hosted by Hadassah’s national grassroots advocacy team, 65 advocates celebrated the over 50,000 people who sent more than 146,000 letters to members of Congress, the Biden Administration, the UN and others to secure critical legislative wins during the 118th Congress.
Strengthening the US-Israel Relationship
Thanks to the efforts of Hadassah members across the country, several key measures supporting the US-Israel relationship and crucial national security aid, following Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023, were passed by the 118th Congress.
Hadassah members helped secure:
- A $95.3 billion security assistance aid package with $26.4 billion in critical security assistance for Israel amid escalating conflicts with Iranian-backed terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
- Key funding in the National Defense Authorization Act for US-Israel programs, including $500 million for missile defense cooperation, $80 million for anti-tunneling cooperation and $47.5 million for emerging defense technology.
- The Regional Integration and Normalization Act (RINA) of 2023, which established the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords to lead diplomatic efforts to strengthen and expand normalization in the Middle East.
Combating Antisemitism
Hadassah members were also crucial in the fight to combat the alarming rise in antisemitism witnessed across the US and around the world after October 7. Hadassah advocates helped advance:
- The proposed transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution, establishing a path for the Smithsonian's first museum focused exclusively on Jewish American stories.
- Reauthorization of the Never Again Education Act through 2030, which requires the Holocaust Memorial Museum to provide teachers with resources and training to teach students the important lessons of the Holocaust.
- The Antisemitism Awareness Act, requiring that the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights take into consideration the IHRA definition of antisemitism when reviewing or investigating complaints of discrimination. This bill passed in the House and Hadassah will continue to push for this policy during the 119th Congress.
Championing Women’s and Public Health
Amid constant threats to necessary and important reproductive healthcare, Hadassah advocates were also busy advocating for women’s and public health initiatives, including:
- The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024, which pushes for evidence-based approaches to reduce incidences of stillbirth.
- The Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2024, which addresses the unique impact of lung cancer on women through enhanced research, preventive services, and public awareness. This bill passed in the House and Hadassah will continue to support this policy during the 119th Congress.
- Additional support for H.Res.345, a resolution Hadassah drafted calling for policies to increase infertility research, improve treatments and expand access to infertility services.
After years of Hadassah’s strong advocacy surrounding the study, funding and awareness of women’s health issues, the Biden Administration made significant strides in women’s health and proposed new funding of $110 million to support women’s health research and innovation.
Thank you to everyone who took action to support these important measures in the 118th Congress!
Visit our National Action Center to continue to advance critical legislation in the 119th Congress that supports the US-Israel alliance, fights the rising tide of antisemitism and advances women’s and public health. Sign up today to be notified of critical advocacy opportunities.