Congress

For a while it looked like the Jewish Republican caucus in  Congress would double in size - but after one of the year's closest House races was decided conclusively this week, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) will still be its only member.

It took more than a month, but Democratic Rep. Tim Bishop was certified the winner Tuesday in the First Congressional District in Suffolk County’s East End, narrowly defeating Republican challenger Randy Altschuler.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Randy Altschuler conceded the congressional election in a suburban New York district to incumbent Rep. Tim Bishop.

Altschuler, a Republican, is trailing the Democrat Bishop by 263 votes, unofficial counts show in the eastern Long Island district.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously mourned the loss of life in Israel's worst ever forest fire and pledged to support assistance.

The non-binding resolution passed Tuesday, sponsored by outgoing Rep. Ron Klein (D-Fla.), "mourns the loss of life and extends condolences to the families affected by the fire in northern Israel" and "supports the Obama Administration’s offer of, and rapid efforts to provide, United States fire fighting assistance to Israel in response to this disaster."

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Jewish groups praised the renewal of a law funding school meals, but expressed concern that it was financed in part by money designated for food stamps.

The approval in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act means the bill -- which had been subject to some last minute wrangling -- is ready for enactment by the president.

The bill extends for another ten years funding for school lunches and breakfasts for children from families that depend on the meals, estimated at 4.2 million households.

Former Rep. Stephen J. Solarz, who died Monday night  at the age of 70 after a long battle with esophogeal cancer, was an outstanding public servant. Steve served the people of Brooklyn in the House of Representatives from 1975 to 1992 with distinction, boundless energy, great intellect, and a true passion to pursue justice.