Visit to Schumer's office

Submitted by Lori Sousa (United States), Feb 20, 2013 at 01:41

Dear Dr. Pipes,

Thank you for calling upon Senator Schumer to change his vote on the Hagel Nomination. Myself and a delegation of 7 NYS CUFI members met with the senators staff on Jan. 30th to make our concerns known. At that meeting Hana Greenberg gave the following reasons for Schumer's endorsement:
1. The president's right to appoint a cabinet of his own choosing.
2. The 90min meeting he had with Hagel

We countered these arguments with the fact that:

1. Hagel's 12 year history is dominated by a foreign policy statement and actions that are well-outside of mainstream U.S. ideas (at best) and at times racist, disturbing and dangerous (at worse), not just with Israel. Therefore, the checks and balance system we have created allows for the blocking of nominations for such cases like this.

2. Schumer is the single most influential Senator when it comes to Hagel's nomination. He is a senior senator who knows that in Washington, actions speak louder than words. Hagel's record speaks loud and clear. Schumer is wise enough to know that a 90 min meeting held for the purpose of winning a nomination endorsement should be seen in that light.

Greenberg responded by saying, "I want to be very clear in letting you know that the book is not closed on this. We will be watching the nomination hearings very closely." We again reminded the Greenberg of the opportunity Schumer has to express concerns and withdraw support as disturbing information emerges hearing....In addition, we made it clear that as Schumer's constituents (who have consistently supported him in his position in the Middle East) we will hold him accountable for Hagel's actions if he is nominated.

Two years ago when I was in D.C .with a delegation of 70 NYS CUFI members, Senator Schumer personally told me about the "shomer" origins of his name, about his ancestors and said (exactly as you mentioned) : "I believe HaShem [God], actually, gave me my name, as one of my roles that is very important in the United States Senate is to be a shomer for Israel. I will continue to be that with every bone in my body."

It is ironic that the vote for Hagel's nomination will now fall on the heels of Purim (this weekend). Perhaps, as occurs in the book of Esther, Senator Schumer will recall the noble position he has been called to, not merely as a U.S. Senator, but as a Watchman named by " HaShem" for such a time as this!

Thank you again for your letter. I pray Senator Schumer will take a stand.

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