Washington Watch (-/\
Domestic Fight
On Religion
JAMES D. BESSER
Washington Correspondent
Washington
strange thing happened on the
way to House passage, 308
votes to 116, of the Religious
Liberty Protection Act last
week.
Most Jewish members — once
among RLPA's strongest supporters —
voted no, although every major Jewish
group, along with representatives of
numerous other religious faiths, sup-
ported the measure.
"This could be a first — the Jewish
members going against a measure
strongly supported by almost every
Jewish group," said Abba Cohen,
Washington director for Agudath
Israel of America.
The list of opponents included
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), one of
the original authors of the measure,
which seeks to make it harder for state
and local governments to infringe on
religious practices, even inadvertently.
The proposal replaces the Religious
Freedom Restoration Act, overturned
by the Supreme Court two years ago.
But several leading civil rights
and gay rights groups — including
the American Civil Liberties Union
— pulled out of the RLPA coalition
after analysts said a series of recent
court decisions might allow the new
law to "trump" civil rights protec-
tions.
As an example, they predicted that
landlords might be able to discrimi-
nate against homosexuals by citing
religious
beliefs as a reason for refusing b
b
to rent to them.
A Nadler amendment protecting
anti-discrimination laws from assault
under the measure failed in a largely
party line vote. So lawmakers were
caught in a squeeze between Jewish
organizations that overwhelmingly
supported RLPA and long-term allies
in the civil rights community, includ-
ing the ACLU.
"There are clearly abuses that
could occur under the law," said
Rep. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who
voted for the Nadler amendment,
but when that failed voted for the
bill anyway. "But there are abuses of
religious freedom today. Jerry Nadler
A
THAT'S because people who've shopped around
have discovered that 'our 12 month Certificate of Deposit
offers one of the highest guaranteed rates available. At
Paramount Bank, we always look out for your best
interest. That is because we believe that our customers are
our greatest assets. Paramount Bank is your hometown
bank. From our convenient hours to our wide range of
products, we work hard to meet all your financial needs.
Of course, all accounts are FDIC-insured.
Visit today or call 1-800-421-BANK and discover the
bank where personal service is paramount.
MAIN OFFICE
30850 Telegraph Road Suite 250
Bingham Farms, Michigan 48025
(248) 646-3400
Fax (248) 646-5187
BRANCH
1732 West Maple Road
Birmingham, Michigan 48009
(248) 723-4800
Fax (248) 723-4848
IP
BANK :JUNI'
Your Hometown Bank
*Ammo! Percentage hicld for balances of 5500 minim u m.
HNC
(
INSURED
LENDER
,„4"toteet) --
,i`e cte,
at '71,weeodecii..1
71-1114. 4,veee 9cIdI c94- 21,,
4 /•• ■ ‘
)( 1C4
N,
VC.`“ CC-i it
A., we e/te .,,i,:tc 71,/eltaz 9 /.14-ieetV
e01.
gh...ed ,i,"e c...41,•ct..
'“ cittce eitc$.,tk vccc Ccitcei ...
4
%Id
,
eitC1C4deill mac/1.4411 tC..7(..-FOC, teceieec
i4lvd
ec itietc• trace v
cc, e,. - ate.
sol
Iv 011 aisv (,:t.ceet , t.:-Vel.. "'56 •
ii.C. 4:: c4.:-escepe, pee..ci.5a ecilCC
.-4..-tt.e
, N...
let.v.ce cc,t 48-A,...-“t pte,,t4:.e.
4.4:-.1e:
9
teefat-ip 1 1 1/Cf P14 , • • •
- Cli,e. 6C-atriA1c-dk ° t(PC3e 6-6,0$1-tliel
(248) 855-2240
7/ 2 3
1999
20 Detroit Jewish News
`•••, / *1/40116%.9.
--°°111Nroio'""muils°114
N
had a legitimate concern, but it was
not strong enough to stop passage of
a bill that is vital for protecting reli-
gious freedom."
But most Jewish lawmakers
spurned RLPA, swayed by the ACLU
and the gay rights groups.
Local congressmen were split on
how they voted. Sander Levin, a
Jewish Democrat, was opposed to the
measure, while Joe Knollenberg voted
with the majority.
Boeing Battles On
One of the important sidelights of
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's
trip to Washington was the long-
expected announcement that Israel
will purchase 50 F-16 jets for a cool
$2.5 billion.
The decision seemingly ends the
long-running battle for the order
between Lockheed Martin, manufac-
turers of the F-16, and Boeing, which
produces the costlier, more capable F-
15.
The fight featured dark warnings
that a choice by Israel not to buy the
Boeing jets could contribute to layoffs
at the St. Louis factory and cause new
problems for the U.S. Air Force,
which wants to keep F-15 production
going
But wait: Rep. Richard Gephardt
(D-Mo.), the House Minority Leader
who just happens to represent the St.
Louis area, is working with other law-
makers and pro-Israel lobbyists to give
Israel a too-good-to-pass-up deal on
some F-15s on top of the cheaper F-
(--/\
16s selected by Barak.
Israeli defense leaders are reportedly
delighted with the potential boost,
which could enable Israel to benefit
from some old-fashioned, bring-home-
the-bacon politics in Washington.
.
Sour Words
On the aid front, some congressional
Republicans had some sour words over
what they see as a too-powerful Israel
lobby on the eve of Prime Minister
Barak's visit.
The House Foreign Operations
Appropriations subcommittee last
week approved a $12.8 billion foreign
aid package that includes Israel's regu-
lar assistance package.