Israel’s Independence Day is around the corner, and little plastic hammers being in short supply around DC (and likely flagged on a Homeland Security watch list), the way we celebrate is through non-binding congressional resolutions.
So far as I can tell, the first out of the box this year is Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R-N.Y.), who is circulating a resolution among her fellows in the U.S. House of Representatives.
So far, she’s got 58 co-sponsors, all but four Republican — which is upsetting her staff. Today is the deadline to sign. A last-ditch appeal obtained by JTA reads as follows:
Rep. Buerkle would greatly appreciate your support. Although this is truly a bipartisan resolution, thus far we have only a handful of Democrat cosponsors. It would be very significant to have your boss sign on.
So what’s holding back the Dems? Not the resolution — it’s got everything, warmth, congratulations, peace, democracy, the right to strike Iran if nothing else is to be done.
No, I’m told it’s this line in the accompanying letter:
Sadly, the Obama Administration has strained our relationship with Israel.
So much for truly bipartisan. But more to the point — it’s a birthday! And birthdays are where "sadlys" are happily unwelcome!
The four Democrats, by the way are Richard Neal (Mass.), Bobby Rush (Ill.), Tim Holden (Pa.) and Dan Boren (Okla.)
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