YUPAC Holds Annual Lobbying Trip to Washington
The Yeshiva University Political Action Club (YUPAC) held its annual lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., last month. Over 130 students met with 43 senators’ and representatives’ offices to lobby for Israel and against antisemitism.
Students visited legislative offices in small groups and were addressed as a whole by various representatives and individuals involved in political advocacy.
Following their arrival in Washington, Rep. George Latimer addressed YU students on the Capitol steps about his victory over former Rep. Jamaal Bowman and emphasized his strong support for Israel. He introduced himself as a “strong supporter of the Jewish community and the Jewish state.” Latimer spoke about his Irish-Italian heritage as a son and grandson of immigrants “who faced prejudice in their day, just like Jewish immigrants did.”
“For those of you who are Jewish Americans, you have an Italian-Irish supporter on your side,” Latimer, a Democrat from New York, told students. Speaking about antisemitism, Latimer added that anti-Jewish sentiment is “not only coming from the traditional far-right — the KKK crowd — but now it’s coming from the far-left.”
Rep. Ritchie Torres also spoke to students. He stressed that antisemitism is an issue that extends beyond the Jewish community. Torres concluded by affirming his commitment to the Jewish people and Israel, both in and out of Congress.
Following the interaction, students split to visit legislative offices. Among the offices visited were those of Reps. Torres, Jamie Raskin, Dan Crenshaw, Speaker Mike Johnson and Sens. Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell.
Participants were briefed on bills and talking points to discuss with each office, and spoke with staffers about the hostages in Hamas captivity, Iran and antisemitism on college campuses. Bills that students lobbied for included the PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2025, which would impose sanctions on the PLO if they continue to compensate relatives of convicted terrorists, and the No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act, which would bar participants in the Oct. 7 attacks from entering the United States. Students also lobbied for general support for Israel, such as Iron Dome funding and other initiatives that will be part of the appropriations process.
After the first round of lobbying, students were addressed by Nathan Diament (YC ‘88), executive director at OU Advocacy Center. Diament spoke about the OU’s lobbying activities and advocacy for the Jewish community. Diament discussed how the OU works with religious groups to promote school choice policies that would benefit families who send their children to private schools and the shifting priorities at OU Advocacy following Oct. 7 to put greater emphasis on Israel and antisemitism.
Shortly before departure, Rep. Michael Baumgartner, a Republican from Washington, spoke to students about his support for Israel, emphasizing how Israel’s role as an ally in the Middle East and a counter to Iran is in the strong interest of the U.S. Baumgartner spoke about his service in Iraq and hearing bombs go off constantly, saying that it was “unfathomable” that it happens regularly in Israel. Baumgartner also argued that Marxism and “wokeism” had contributed to the rise in antisemitism and antagonism toward Israel on the American left.
“My experience meeting both Representative Schrier and Senator Lankford’s chiefs of staff was a very positive experience,” Emmit DeHart (YC ‘27), a YUPAC fellow, told The Commentator. “They were both very attentive and reaffirmed their office’s commitment to support for Israel and the hostages as well as combating antisemitism.”
YUPAC’s Beren Co-President Shoshana Fisher (SCW ‘26) commented on the work that went into organizing the trip:
“A tremendous amount of planning goes into every element of the trip, from bussing to food to meetings to groups to speakers and so much more. So many passionate and talented people worked on making the Mission the success it was, and it is a true privilege to work with them as President.”
Photo Caption: Students in front of the Capitol
Photo Credit: YUPAC
