Top Features
The Middle Class: The Engines of Economic Growth
The Center for American Progress has launched a 2012 series of events and publications on the importance of the middle class to our economy. Our series is based on the bedrock progressive principle that a strong middle class is essential for both economic growth and economic stability.
Including Low-Income Americans in the Financial Mainstream
CAP supports the efforts of the Treasury's Office of Financial Education and Financial Access to expand the use of mainstream financial products to millions of unbanked and underbanked consumers.
The Endangered Middle Class: Is the American Dream Slipping out of Reach for American Families?
CAP Senior Economist Heather Boushey testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Put the Middle Class Front and Center to Build a Strong Recovery
Adam S. Hersh picks apart the latest GDP numbers and concludes a healthy recovery requires rebalancing from the finance industry and the wealthy to middle-class families.Other Economic Outlook Features
February 9, 2012
Assessing Inequality, Mobility, and Opportunity
CAP Senior Economist Heather Boushey testifies before the Senate Committee on the Budget.
February 9, 2012
Finding 'What Works' in Education
Kristina Costa explores “what works” platforms in education, pointing out their current limitations and also their importance in times of tight budgets.
February 9, 2012
Seven Fatal Flaws in the House Highway Bill
Donna Cooper lists the many shortcomings of the House leadership’s infrastructure bill and explains why it fails to meet our transportation needs.
February 3, 2012
Congress May Still Stop the Economic Recovery
Scott Lilly says the main obstacle to sustained economic recovery in 2012 is a do-nothing Congress.
February 3, 2012
We Need Strong Policy Steps to Maintain Momentum in the Labor Market
David Madland examines January’s positive jobs numbers and outlines the actions Congress must take to ensure a full recovery that doesn’t leave anyone behind.
January 27, 2012
The Changing Reality of the American Family
Public policy has not kept up with the changing reality of the American family and should move toward ensuring greater economic protections for LGBT families, write Jennifer Chrisler, Laura Deaton, and Jeff Krehely.
January 27, 2012
Economic Snapshot for January 2012
Smart economic policy can continue to strengthen the economic recovery, writes Christian E. Weller.
January 26, 2012
Big Ideas for Small Business
Congress should raise the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s statutory cap, expand outreach, and increase access to public capital for small businesses, argues Sabina Dewan.
January 25, 2012
Will Congress Block Infrastructure Spending?
Donna Cooper expects congressional Republicans to block the president’s latest call for infrastructure spending to boost jobs and improve our economic competitiveness.
January 25, 2012