Americans for Democratic Action
ADA is America's most experienced independent liberal lobbying organization. In the spirit of the New Deal and ADA founders Eleanor Roosevelt, renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith, and former Senator and Vice President Hubert Humphrey we lobby through coalition partnerships, through direct advocacy, and through the media.
Americans for Democratic Action (Press Center)
Americans for Democratic Action (Action Center)
Miserable Jobs Report Mocks Holiday Hopes
With fresh evidence in today's jobless report that it's tougher than ever to find work, Americans for Democratic Action-the nation's longest-established liberal advocacy group-called once again on Congress to extend unemployment benefits for the 15 million jobless Americans suffering through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Defying expectations and the holiday hopes of the jobless, unemployment rose to 9.8 percent in November.
The Real Story on the Jobs Numbers
The 151,000 jobs added to the economy in October represent a glimmer of hope to thousands of American families suffering through the two-year Great Recession. But with the official unemployment rate unchanged at 9.6% and the unofficial rate (which includes part-time workers desiring full-time employment and discouraged job seekers) rising to 17.1%, today's improved jobless numbers are far from heralding the end of the employment crisis.
A Deceptive Job Recovery -- Real Unemployment at 16.8%
The real unemployment rate released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of 16.8%, is much worse than the official 9.7% rate reported for February. The long-sought improvement in the labor market is imperceptible at this time as more than 36,000 new jobless claims were filed. The official unemployment rate only accounts for people who are out of work and actively seeking fulltime employment. The real rate, which takes into account part-time workers desiring full-time employment and discouraged job seekers, is a more accurate indicator of the labor market.
Real Unemployment Rate at 16.77%
Americans for Democratic Action's National Director, Michael J. Wilson, made the following statement about today's unemployment numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: "The real unemployment rate released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is 16.7% -- a full 7 points higher than the officially reported rate. "We are beginning to see signs of an economic recovery. Even though we know that jobs are a lagging indicator, we know that is of little comfort to the millions who have remained jobless for week after week after week.
ADA Calls Afghanistan a Quagmire Worse than Vietnam
In response to President Obama's announcement that he will send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, Michael J. Wilson, national director of Americans for Democratic Action, issued the following statement:
Real Unemployment Rate Falls to 17.2%; Positive Signs May be Temporary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced today that the unemployment rate for November fell to 10%. This figure represents 15.4 million officially unemployed people. In reality there are over 26 million Americans who are either jobless or underemployed. The "real" jobless rate takes into account part-time workers seeking full-time work, discouraged job seekers and persons furloughed from full-time to part-time status. The real rate of unemployment is 17.2% and is a more accurate indicator of the labor market.
ADA Applauds Passage of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Out of Committee
Continuing Americans for Democratic Action's 62-year legacy of working towards protections for consumers, National Director Michael J. Wilson hailed the House Financial Services Committee for passing the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CPFA). The failure of the nation's regulatory institutions to protect consumers contributed to the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. The CPFA will assume the role of public watch dog.
Americans for Democratic Action Congratulates President Obama for Winning the Nobel Peace Prize
Americans for Democratic Action praised the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama today. ADA Director Michael J. Wilson said: "President Obama's efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons and multilateral approach to global diplomacy are laudable efforts that have been rightly recognized by the Nobel Committee.
Real Unemployment Rate at 17%
Americans for Democratic Action, proud liberals fighting on behalf of working and unemployed Americans for 62 years, released the following statement about today's unemployment numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: "The real unemployment rate released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is 17%, over 7 points higher than the officially reported rate," said ADA National Director Michael J. Wilson
Americans for Democratic Action Calls for Marriage Equality
Michael J. Wilson, National Director of Americans for Democratic Action, issued this statement following the introduction of legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act: