Americans for Democratic Action
Fighting for progress and resisting reaction since 1947
ADA: Updates (via Facebook)
There’s been an increase in union membership based on sheer numbers of professionals in unions, but the percentage of workers who have the protection a union brings is still relatively low.
We stand by our sisters and brothers in the labor movement as they continue standing up for workers on a daily basis.
Professional Union Membership Grew in 2019 — DPEAFLCIO
dpeaflcio.org
Professional union membership grew to a new high of 6.27 million members in 2019.While we currently have an impeachment trial taking place because Trump withheld military aid for one of our allies in an effort to get a foreign leader to investigate one of his political opponents, the Trump Organization is also being sued by the City of DC because the business drastically overcharged the government for expenses relating to Trump’s inauguration.
D.C. sues Trump organization, alleging inflated inaugural party bills
www.politico.com
The suit alleges that the city’s laws governing nonprofit organizations were violated when the Trump International Hotel charged the Presidential Inaugural Committee inflated prices.In sharp contrast to the anti-gun violence prevention crowd that gathered in Richmond,VA wearing tactical gear and carrying assault weapons yesterday, local ADA members were honored to spend part of Martin Luther King holiday lending their voice to supporting efforts to end gun violence during a vigil held outside the NRA’s national headquarters.
One year from today, our nation will have a new President. We say that, with confidence, because we intend to make that happen. But, we can only do it with your help. That's why we want you to mark your calendars and beginning planning NOW to attend our annual gala in Washington, D.C. on June 11. If the election year isn't enough reason to increase your participation in ADA, join us to see old friends, eat great food, and hear inspiring speeches. Save the date and/or Register by clicking below.
Today’s the 10th anniversary of the disastrous Citizens United decision that opened the door to unlimited corporate spending on elections. Considering the enormous amount of influence that money can have over Members of Congress, we’re pleased to see this anniversary was used by a group of freshmen House Democrats to announce the formation of the End Corruption Caucus.
We’re also extremely happy to see Rep. Katie Porter is showing leadership on the issue and is a co-chair of the new caucus. ADA was active in Rep. Porter’s district in 2018 and it’s great to see her living up to the values she promoted during her campaign.
Freshmen House Members Launch End Corruption Caucus – Invoke Cloture
invokecloture.com
Freshmen House Members Launch End Corruption Caucus Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Citizen United decision, in which the majority ruled that the freedom of speech clause of the first amendment means corporations cannot be prohibited from making independent expenditures to ...As thousands of out of state people from anti-gun violence prevention groups descend upon Virginia’s Capital today and have threatened violence, we sincerely hope there isn’t a repeat of the tragic events of Charlottesville back in 2017.
We stand in solidarity with elected officials trying to implement common sense reforms to help #EndGunViolence and encourage everyone to stay safe and peaceful if they’re in Richmond today. #IStandWithVirginia
The Virginia gun rights rally raising fears of violence, explained
www.vox.com
Why an annual Lobby Day has resulted in a state of emergency and online calls for a civil war.Considering how there are several members of the Senate running for POTUS, it will be interesting to see how they respond to rules severely limiting the access members of the press have to Senators during the impeachment trial.
These Senators are already being taken off the campaign trail just weeks before voting begins, so one can imagine they want their voices heard on the latest impeachment developments.
'Huge mistake': Senators in both parties rip impeachment press access
www.politico.com
Sen. John Kennedy said the restrictions send the “wrong message."There are different ideas about how we can move forward with making higher education more affordable so students aren’t saddled with enormous debt for the rest of their life. But it should be common sense that students who were defrauded by for profit colleges shouldn’t be forced into funding the fraudulent schools.
With that in mind, we’re happy to see the House of Representatives passed a resolution calling our Betsy DeVos and the Trump administration’s decision to make it harder for these students.
House Democrats push through measure to nullify Trump student loan rule
www.rollcall.com
The House on Thursday passed mostly along party lines a measure that would overturn a Trump administration rule rolling back protections for student loan borrowers, but the margin was well short of being veto-proof.The joint resolution passed 231-180 with six Republicans joining 225 Democrats in fav...There's an effort taking place to unite Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders supporters. Considering how they're both strong progressives and we need leaders who can effectively promoting our values, we all ultimately have to come together to stand up for causes like a higher minimum wage, access to affordable healthcare, LGBT rights, and so much more.
Left launches bid to unify Sanders, Warren camps
www.politico.com
The progressive groups are concerned about the rift.Virginia has become the 38th state to ratify the ERA. This is yet another example of why elections matter and is part of the reason we've worked so hard to ensure our progressive values are represented at the state level.
Virginia lawmakers pass Equal Rights Amendment in historic vote
www.washingtonpost.com
Republicans who blocked passage for years say action is too late to change U.S. Constitution.There’s been new data released that shows over 100 billion highly addictive pain pills have been shipped, which is partly due to big pharmaceutical companies misleading the public about these pills.
What’s also interesting is that when there was increased government oversight of the issue, the data shows there was a decline in pills being shipped. In other words, this is an example of how the government can take action that helps the public.
More than 100 billion pain pills saturated the nation over nine years
www.washingtonpost.com
New DEA data reveals that 24 billion additional pills than previously known to the public were distributed during the opioid epidemic.As Betsy DeVos has refused to comply with court orders to make sure students don’t have to pay back loans that went to for profit schools that scammed students, it’s good to see Elizabeth Warren is actively discussing how she’d help out students if she becomes president.
Warren has now said she’d take executive action if needed to help millions of students who are struggling to stay afloat while being forced to pay an insanely large amount of student debt.
Warren promises to cancel student loan debt using executive powers
www.politico.com
Warren has long pushed the Education Department to more expansively interpret its powers to provide debt relief to student loan borrowers.ADA: What You Should Know
ADA Illinois 7thCD Forum
ADA is hosting a candidate forum on January 30th. Sign up HERE. Sponsored by NEIL Americans for Democratic Action Northside Democracy For America Chicago Public Library-Austin Branch 5615 W Race Ave, Chicago, IL 60644 Thursday January 30, 2020 Doors open 6 pm - Forum...
How has Congressional partisanship evolved?
A researcher in London has used ADA Voting Records over the past 70 years to create a tool that shows all sorts of interactive information on partisanship trends. Check out the tool HERE.