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Center for American Progress Center for American Progress
Issues 2009 01

01

March 9, 2009
Eight Reasons to Applaud Action on Stem Cells
President Obama took an important step today by issuing an executive order that lifts the existing restriction on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

January 30, 2009
Whiplash: Conservatives Play Politics with Stimulus Spending
Conservatives in the House of Representatives were against more spending on highways before they supported a move to increase spending, only to vote against it, notes Scott Lilly.

January 30, 2009
Beyond the Beltway: Energy & Infrastructure
This interactive map shows how the House and Senate Recovery and Reinvestment Acts would distribute energy and infrastructure funding to the states.

January 30, 2009
The Recession Accelerates
The latest economic data shows the U.S. economy is in serious need of quick, targeted government intervention, writes Christian E. Weller.

January 30, 2009
The Economic Crisis Weighs Heavily on the Global Labor Market
Analysis from Sabina Dewan on new data from the International Labour Organization showing that the U.S. economic crisis has far-reaching effects for the rest of the world.

January 30, 2009
Pushing for Improved Human Rights in China
Yesterday the Center for American Progress convened a panel to discuss a new report by William Schulz on how the United States can promote human rights in China.

January 30, 2009
Weekly Round Up
Find out what happened this week at CAP: analysis of the economic recovery package, getting ready for Iraq's elections, how to improve education, and more.

January 29, 2009
SCHIP Passes Senate
Today, the Senate joined the House in passing a bill to expand and strengthen the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

January 29, 2009
Ask the Expert: Working with China on Human Rights
William Schulz on his new report and how and why we should promote human rights in China.

January 29, 2009
Energy Investments Power Recovery Packages
The Senate version of the American Investment and Recovery Plan ups the ante on clean energy investments, write Dan Weiss and Alexandra Kougentakis.

January 29, 2009
Think Again: Spying on Journalists? Why the Silence?
It now appears that the Bush administration was spying on American journalists; so Eric Alterman and George Zornick ask, why’s the media keeping quiet?

January 29, 2009
Strategic Persistence
Report from William Schulz details how the United States can work to help improve human rights in China.

January 29, 2009
Beyond the Beltway: Protecting Vital Services
This interactive map shows how the House and Senate Recovery and Reinvestment Acts would help ensure that vital public services continue uninterrupted.

January 29, 2009
Open Source Recovery
Reece Rushing comments on the accountability and transparency measures the Obama administration is taking with the economic recovery plan.

January 29, 2009
President Obama Signs Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
President Obama shows his commitment to women’s rights and economic security in signing his first bill, but there is still more work to be done.

January 28, 2009
Unionization Climbs for Two Straight Years, but Remains a Fraction of 1980s Rates
New data shows that workers overwhelmingly want unions, but significant union growth will requires new legislation, write David Madland and Karla Walter.

January 28, 2009
Background Brief: Major Shia political groups
A companion to the report from Matthew Duss and Peter Juul, "The Fractured Shia of Iraq: Understanding the Tensions within Iraq’s Majority."

January 28, 2009
Interactive: Design Your Own Stimulus Package
This interactive calculator lets you experiment with how different investments would boost the economy and create jobs.

January 28, 2009
Background Brief: Shia Islam
A companion to the report from Matthew Duss and Peter Juul, "The Fractured Shia of Iraq: Understanding the Tensions within Iraq’s Majority."

January 28, 2009
Beyond the Beltway: 21st Century Education
This interactive map shows how the Recovery and Reinvestment Act would help our education system.

January 28, 2009
It’s Easy Being Green: Trees Take Root in U.S. Cities
Tree planting is an idea whose time has come as several U.S. city mayors launch programs to make their cities leafier.

January 28, 2009
“Formestic” Policy Front and Center
The Obama administration’s domestic economic stimulus package is good foreign policy, writes Nina Hachigian.

January 28, 2009
The Importance of U.S.-China Relations
Amid a global economic downturn, the United States and China need to embrace common causes to speed sustainable international economic growth, write Winny Chen and Nina Hachigian.

January 28, 2009
From Qualifications to Results
Robin Chait makes the case for a focus on teacher effectiveness, not qualifications, and how federal policy can make it happen.

January 28, 2009
Recovery and Reinvestment 101
A basic guide to all your questions about the economic downturn and the recovery and reinvestment plans in Congress.

January 28, 2009
The Fractured Shia of Iraq
Report from Matthew Duss and Peter Juul delivers analysis of the tensions within Iraq's majority party

January 27, 2009
Interactive Map: Job Losses Increase in a Majority of States
New state-level data show that unemployment is rising across the country and help for workers is even more urgent, write Heather Boushey and Nayla Kazzi.

January 27, 2009
Futures Intertwined
Panelists at a CAP event released a new book edited by Henry Cisneros on Latinos and discussed the ways that Latinos can succeed through inclusion and integration.

January 27, 2009
Beyond the Beltway: Helping Those Most in Need
This interactive map shows how the Recovery and Reinvestment Act would help the unemployed, homeless, and those living in poverty.

January 27, 2009
Barriers to College Attainment: Lessons from Chicago
New report draws lessons from the Chicago public schools about how to increase enrollment and success in college.

January 27, 2009
Letter to Congress: Economists Across the Spectrum Endorse Stimulus Package
Economists from across the political spectrum have endorsed the stimulus package in this Center for American Progress Action Fund letter to Congress.

January 27, 2009
Improving Academic Preparation for College
Robin Chait and Andrea Venezia detail what we know about academic preparation for college and how state and federal policies can help.

January 26, 2009
Public Opinion Snapshot: A Mandate for Big Change
Polls show that the public wants President Obama to make big changes, including introducing major new programs, writes Ruy Teixeira.

January 26, 2009
Real Science Comes to Washington
Myopic conservatives and the media still don't get global warming. But if anybody can preserve a livable climate, Obama's amazing energy team can, writes Joe Romm.

January 26, 2009
Beyond the Beltway: Tax Cuts to Make Work Pay
This interactive map shows how the Recovery and Reinvestment Act would distribute the benefits of three key tax cuts to the states.

January 26, 2009
Clean Energy, Clean Jobs
Funds from a recovery and reinvestment package devoted to clean energy will create jobs, write Dan Weiss and Alexandra Kougentakis.

January 26, 2009
Making Sense of CBO’s Stimulus Projections
Scott Lilly explains the assumptions behind the budget projections of the Congressional Budget Office.

January 26, 2009
Week in Congress: January 26 - 30, 2009
The economic recovery and reinvestment package and equal pay will dominate House debate, while the Senate will work to pass SCHIP this week.

January 26, 2009
How to Help 12 Million Low-Income Children
House recovery legislation goes further than the Senate on revising the Child Tax Credit and would bring help to 12 million low-income children, writes Mark Greenberg.

January 26, 2009
Timeline: A Fight for State Vehicle Emissions
After eight years of the Bush administration inaction detailed in this timeline, President Obama finally moves forward state emissions standards.

January 23, 2009
Methodology: Recovery Beyond the Beltway
Companion to the interactive map, "Recovery Beyond the Beltway."

January 23, 2009
Stem Cell Science Takes an Ambitious Step Forward
The Geron Corporation announced Friday that it will begin Phase I clinical trials on an embryonic stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries.

January 23, 2009
The Bad and the Ugly
Experts at a CAP event discuss controversial Bush midnight regulations and how President Obama can forge a new agenda.

January 23, 2009
Harming Workers Until the Very End
David Madland and Karla Walter detail how the Bush administration’s midnight regulations further weakened workers’ rights and protections.

January 23, 2009
President Obama Rescinds Devastating International Family Planning Restriction
President Obama today helped women around the world by rescinding a policy that reduced access to family planning and limited free speech on abortion.

January 23, 2009
Interactive Map: Recovery Beyond the Beltway
About two-thirds of the recovery packages under consideration by the House and Senate will be spent by state governments. Here's how.

January 23, 2009
Weekly Round Up
Find out what happened this week at CAP: analysis of midnight regulations, how to close Guantánamo, milestones for women's rights, and more.

January 22, 2009
Think Again: Bush’s Free Ride to the Finish Line
After failing to challenge Bush and Cheney's misstatements over the past eight years, it's unsurprising that the press failed to do so during his last interviews.

January 22, 2009
Equal Pay for Breadwinners
New report from Heather Boushey finds that more men are jobless while women earn less for equal work.

January 22, 2009
Closing Guantanamo, Restoring American Values
President Obama’s decision to close Guantanamo and the secret CIA prisons shows the world the the United States is back and ready to lead.

January 22, 2009
Cleaning Up and Launching Ahead
Report from Anne Joseph O'Connell on what President Obama can learn from previous administrations in establishing his regulatory agenda.

January 22, 2009
Ask the Expert: Turkey: A Priority for the New Administration
Spencer Boyer discusses the current state of U.S.-Turkish relations and how we will benefit from improving that relationship.

January 22, 2009
After Midnight
Reece Rushing, Rick Melberth, and Matt Madia on the Bush administration's midnight regulations and what the Obama administration can do.

January 22, 2009
The Child Tax Credit and the Economic Recovery Bill
Congress' economic recovery legislation would revise the Child Tax Credit, finally making eligible those families who need it most.

January 22, 2009
Shifting Ground
Social conservatives and progressives should concentrate on what unites us, write Jessica Arons and Shira Saperstein on the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

January 21, 2009
It’s Easy Being Green: Smart Buildings for Future Skylines
Office buildings contribute as much as half of the energy used in the United States, and they can do more to curb their impact on the environment.

January 21, 2009
Presidential Appointments by the Numbers
History shows presidents often get stuck in the appointments process. President Obama must learn from their mistakes—or repeat them.

January 21, 2009
Six Ways that the Obama Administration Can Improve the Political Appointment Process
President Obama’s ability to press his agenda depends on quickly filling key positions and limiting turnover. These six recommendations show how.

January 19, 2009
Public Opinion Snapshot: Would You Like Spending With That Stimulus Plan?
Ruy Teixeira analyzes public opinion and finds that the public doesn’t share conservatives’ aversion to government spending.

January 16, 2009
Re-energizing the Economy
Plans to rescue the U.S. economy are now before Congress. Daniel J. Weiss and Alexandra Kougentakis detail why swift enactment is essential, especially in the energy arena.

January 16, 2009
A Perfect Storm
David Balto on why approving the Highmark/IBC merger will damage the Pennsylvania economy and set it on the wrong direction for health care reform.

January 16, 2009
A Life Sciences Crucible
Michael Rugnetta and Michael Peroski outline a plan for proceeding with stem cell research and innovation responsibly and ethically.

January 16, 2009
Stimulative Action
Congress and the Obama transition team are off to a good start in defusing a dangerous economic crisis, writes Scott Lilly.

January 16, 2009
Weekly Round Up
Find out what happened this week at CAP: recommendations for swift progress on energy policy, advice on political appointments, a new issue of Science Progress, and more.

January 16, 2009
Recovery Plan Offers Needed Change
The new recovery plan offered by Reps. Obey and Rangel can begin to put the country back on a sustainable long-term growth path with rising living standards for all.

January 16, 2009
The State of Minorities: The Recession Issue
The recession has hit minorities especially hard, write Amanda Logan and Christian Weller.

January 16, 2009
Bringing Science Back to the Forefront
Panelists at CAP event discuss a new report on stem cells and how the new administration can move forward ethically while bringing American research back to the cutting edge.

January 15, 2009
Think Again: Scarborough’s Fare
Eric Alterman and George Zornick wonder why MSNBC gives Joe Scarborough more time on the air than anyone else if it’s as liberal as everyone says?

January 15, 2009
Six Reasons Why Equal Pay Is Still Important
The current financial crisis makes it more important than ever for Congress to guarantee that all workers receive a fair and equal wage.

January 15, 2009
Time to Forcefully Oust Mugabe
In the past decade, working as a US diplomat and then as a human rights advocate, I've had the perversely unique opportunity to meet on occasion with one of the longest-serving dictators in the world, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

January 15, 2009
Let’s Get It Started
Report from Anne Joseph O'Connell details what President-elect Obama can learn from previous administrations in making political appointments.

January 14, 2009
It's Easy Being Green: How Green Was My Inauguration
President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration will be climate and bike friendlier, and the inaugural balls will cut waste and lower their carbon footprint.

January 14, 2009
Putting Children’s Health Before Ideology
It is time for Congress to get past the politics and finally give children the health insurance they need through SCHIP, writes Judy Feder.

January 14, 2009
Long Overdue for Children’s Health Insurance
This by-the-numbers look at the State Children’s Health Insurance Program shows why it’s more important than ever that Congress reauthorize and expand the program to help keep kids healthy.

January 14, 2009
Shooting Yourself in the Foot
Mid-year teacher layoffs undermine teacher quality, but Robin Chait and Raegen Miller outline ways to mitigate its worst effects.

January 13, 2009
WHO Can Stop an Epidemic
The WHO is an encouraging, and too rare, example of countries getting over their differences to solve a common problem. The WHO is underfunded and needs reform, but it stands between us and some lethal future pandemic, writes Nina Hachigian.

January 13, 2009
Economic Snapshot for January 2009
The U.S. economy is experiencing its worst recession in decades, with jobs and wealth declining rapidly, writes Christian E. Weller.

January 13, 2009
Ten Ways to Take Immediate Action on Energy and the Environment
CAP’s energy experts outline how the new administration can immediately reduce energy consumption, create jobs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

January 13, 2009
DC Muslims Embrace the Environment
Lester Feder reports on one Muslim community that is embracing the tenets of the religion’s teachings about the earth.

January 13, 2009
The United States Needs a Tougher Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Target for 2020
Joseph Romm provides the science behind the need for a U.S. climate bill that reduces the country's greenhouse gas emissions 20 to 30 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.

January 13, 2009
Spurring Innovation to Lift the Economy
Yesterday the Center for American Progress hosted an event that explored policies for place-specific, technology-based economic development.

January 13, 2009
The First Step Toward Closing Guantánamo
Announcing the closure of Guantánamo and establishing a process to empty the prison is just a first step, but it's the right first step, writes Ken Gude.

January 12, 2009
Ask the Expert: Using Regional Development to Boost the Economy
Ed Paisley discusses regional centers of innovation and Science Progress' new proposals for promoting them.

January 12, 2009
Public Opinion Snapshot: The Public Supports a Major Effort to Fight Poverty
Over three-quarters of Americans support the goal of cutting poverty in half within 10 years, finds Ruy Teixeira.

January 12, 2009
Will Barack Obama Unleash Bob Gates?
Keeping Robert Gates as Defense secretary has been widely hailed as a sign of continuity. But are there changes Gates should make once he's not working for George W. Bush and, especially, Donald Rumsfeld's patron, Dick Cheney? Kill the F-22? Shift DoD dollars to State? End the supplemental funding ruse? What changes should he pursue?

January 12, 2009
Stories from U.S.-Affiliated Iraqis
Iraqis give their personal accounts of what it's like living in Iraq and having affiliations with the United States.

January 12, 2009
Gitmo: No More
By ordering the closure of Guantanamo as one of his first acts, Obama will show leadership and signal real change.

January 12, 2009
The Week in Congress
The House is primed to pass children's health insurance legislation, while the Senate will consider equal pay.

January 12, 2009
Faith-Based and Secular Groups Join Forces to Fight Big Coal in Virginia
Faith-based and environmental groups across Virginia have been joining forces to promote clean energy and stop new coal-fired power plants.

January 12, 2009
Video: An Iraqi Refugee Story
Experts and Iraqis discuss the dangers that U.S.-affiliated Iraqis face and how to help them.

January 12, 2009
Operation Safe Haven Iraq 2009
New report from Natalie Ondiak and Brian Katulis presents an action plan for airlifting endangered Iraqis linked to the United States.

January 9, 2009
Labor Market Free Fall
The speed of the recession is evident in fast-mounting job losses, explains Heather Boushey. Congress needs to move swiftly on its stimulus package.

January 9, 2009
Weekly Round Up
Find out what happened this week at CAP: Our experts argued for a second stimulus, outlined a plan for closing Guantanamo, and more.

January 9, 2009
House Passes Pay Equity Legislation
The Center for American Progress applauds the House of Representatives for passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act today.

January 9, 2009
Massive and Direct Relief to Stimulate the Economy
Panelists at a CAP discuss new report from Scott Lilly and the urgent need for help to grow jobs and encourage consumer spending.

January 9, 2009
Reinvigorating Capitalism to Stimulate the Economy
Matt Miller discusses The Tyranny of Dead Ideas and how to turn around growing discontent within the middle class.

January 8, 2009
Think Again: Mainstream Media Malpractice
Not only does the mainstream media ignore critical health policy issues; when it does cover them, it often offers misleading information, write Eric Alterman and George Zornick.

January 8, 2009
Time to Quarantine the Foreclosure Epidemic
The worsening housing and economic crises afflicting our nation warrant bolder action in the home mortgage arena, writes David Abromowitz.

January 8, 2009
Investing in a Clean Energy Present and Future: Opportunities and the Costs of Inaction
CAPAF's Kit Batten testifies on the benefits of investing in clean energy today, and what the costs of failing to act would be.

January 8, 2009
American Health Care Since 1994: The Unacceptable Status Quo
The best time to reform health care was 15 years ago. The second best time is now, writes Ben Furnas.

January 8, 2009
On Point: The Stimulus Debate
He’s been pounding the drum all week, and again this morning. Barack Obama, in what his aides bill as a major speech on the economy, is warning loud and clear that it’s bad, and that without quick action—without a huge stimulus package—could get a lot worse. Christian Weller, Grep Ip, and John Taylor discuss the shape and size and politics of Obama’s super-stimulus package.

January 8, 2009
Fair Pay Is Critical as the Recession Deepens
Congress is taking up key equal pay legislation just when Americans need it the most, writes Heather Boushey.

January 7, 2009
Ask the Expert: Health Reform Is the Most Fiscally Responsible Course of Action
James Kvaal on the economic consequences of failing to reform the health care system and why we need universal health care now.

January 7, 2009
Innovation Policies for the 21st Century
Will Straw on why the new administration must provide proper patent incentives and thoughtful financial support for science and technology to germinate in communities around the country.

January 7, 2009
It’s Easy Being Green: How to Use Less Energy While Playing Video Games
A study highlights the energy costs of video game systems and how changes in the systems, along with consumer habits, can cut the nation’s electric bill.

January 7, 2009
Cell Phones and Congo's War Against Women
What in the world could a policy wonk have in common with a movie actress? As it turns out, a lot. Every day we both use electronic devices that wouldn't work without raw materials from a country halfway around the world in central Africa. That country, Congo, has been torn apart by the deadliest war since World War II, where 5.4 million have perished. Its war is fueled by our inexhaustible thirst for cell phones, laptops, video games, digital recorders and other products that owe their existence to Congo's contribution to the world's mineral supply.

January 7, 2009
The Case for Economic Stimulus
A sharply deteriorating economy requires bold but well-targeted action by Congress and the Obama administration, writes Will Straw.

January 7, 2009
Warning to Taxpayers, Investors: Nukes May Become Troubled Assets
The second column in a series from Joe Romm on a new report that shows the staggering cost of new nuclear power.

January 6, 2009
Wage Gap by the Numbers
Women are still earning only 78 cents on a man’s dollar, but two bills before Congress could help narrow the gap.

January 6, 2009
The Tyranny of Dead Ideas
Matt Miller releases a new book on letting go of the old ways of thinking to unleash a new prosperity.

January 6, 2009
The Stimulus: Four Reasons We Can't Afford Not to Have One
A direct economic stimulus package is exactly what we need in the current crisis.

January 6, 2009
Closing Guantánamo 101
Why we need to close the prison at Guantánamo Bay and six steps to get there.

January 6, 2009
Pumping Life Back into the U.S. Economy
Report from Scott Lilly on why a stimulus package must be big and targeted.

January 5, 2009
The Staggering Cost of New Nuclear Power
A new study puts generation rates for power from nuclear plants at triple current U.S. electricity rates, writes Joseph Romm.

January 5, 2009
The New New Deal Goes Global
What is missing so far from today's talk of a progressive-era-in-the-making is a unifying agenda for American foreign policy that will leave the world safer and more prosperous when President-elect Obama leaves office.