Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

I am wrapping up my trip to Israel and the Middle East and will be boarding a plane shortly for my return to Washington., D.C. -- just as efforts intensify concerning the Senate rules change to eliminate the judicial filibuster.

This trip to Israel has been wonderful.  I have met with top Israeli officials including Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is now the Minister of Finance.  I want you to know that tourism - especially visitors from the United States - is picking up.  I see a busy Jerusalem with many people in the markets and in the hotels.  In meetings with the Israeli officials, they have requested that Christians in America continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  This is such a critical time for this area of the world - truly a beautiful and inspiring country.  I encourage you - if you've never been to Israel - to plan a trip to the Holy Land.  You won't be disappointed.

I was also struck by the attention in this country to the battle underway in Washington over President Bush's judicial nominees and the efforts underway for a rules change to eliminate the use of the judicial filibuster. 

I will be back in Washington tomorrow and will be meeting with my senior legislative staff to continue to press for this rules change in the Senate.  No one knows when this will occur - but I am getting reports that it could be as soon as days away.  I want to thank the tens of thousands who have already signed on to our Petition to End Judicial Filibusters.  Your voice is making a difference.  I want to continue to gather names - especially since groups like People for the American Way and others are working to generate support to keep the judicial filibuster in place.

If you haven't done so already, please take a moment and add your name to the petition.  It is very important.