Center for American Progress

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Building an Economy for All

Economic growth must be built on the foundation of a strong and secure middle class so that all Americans benefit from growth.

A child holds hands with her father and mother, January 12, 2020. (Getty/The Washington Post/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)
What We're Working On

What We're Doing

Investing in a stronger and more equitable economy

We must continue to invest in research, technology, and innovation in a manner that ensures participation and benefits communities that are too often left behind. Only through such an approach can the United States remain at the cutting edge in an increasingly competitive global market.

Strengthening worker power and economic mobility

We need to increase wages, reduce poverty among working families, increase worker power, and create pathways to economic mobility for all.

Raising the floor for basic living standards

Working toward a stronger and more equitable economy for everyone involves rebuilding, expanding, and strengthening America’s social safety net to make it more comprehensive in eligibility and services as well as more flexible in how it can be accessed and used.

Creating a new social compact with business

A new social compact with business includes a regulatory vision that better aligns investors, companies, and the public interest on critical matters such as climate, workers’ rights, and equality.

By the numbers

134K

An estimated 134,000 families are pushed into poverty each year by child care expenses.

CAP, “Child Care Expenses Push an Estimated 134,000 Families Into Poverty Each Year” (2024).

A group of parents is seen outside of a day care center. Some of them are pushing strollers.
Child Care Expenses Push an Estimated 134,000 Families Into Poverty Each Year

85%

The number of businesses grew in 85 percent of counties between 2019 and 2023.

CAP, “Entrepreneurship, Startups, and Business Formation Are Booming Across the U.S.” (2024).

An
Entrepreneurship, Startups, and Business Formation Are Booming Across the U.S.

10%

An estimated 10 percent wage premium is experienced by union members compared with similar nonunion members.

CAP, “4 Ways Unions Make Our Economy and Democracy Stronger” (2024).

Members of the Boston Teachers Union and their supporters rally in support of contract measures.
4 Ways Unions Make Our Economy and Democracy Stronger

54%

Permanently extending the Trump tax cuts would increase the fiscal gap by 54 percent.

CAP, “Permanently Extending the Trump Tax Cuts Would Increase Upward Pressure on the Debt Ratio by More Than 50 Percent” (2024).

Capitol building and overcast sky
Permanently Extending the Trump Tax Cuts Would Increase Upward Pressure on the Debt Ratio by More Than 50 Percent

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Religious Liberty for Whom? Diverse Leaders Offer an Inclusive Vision Ahead of America 250 and the Trump Administration’s Report Upcoming Event

Religious Liberty for Whom? Diverse Leaders Offer an Inclusive Vision Ahead of America 250 and the Trump Administration’s Report

Please join the Center for American Progress, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Interfaith Alliance, and the American Humanist Association in Washington, D.C., for the launch of our new report, "Religious Liberty For All: Celebrating This Founding Freedom at America 250."

Center for American Progress

CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Progress Toward Wage and Benefits Improvements for Head Start Workforce Article

CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Progress Toward Wage and Benefits Improvements for Head Start Workforce

The Center for American Progress recently submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opposing the revocation of a 2024 rule improving Head Start staff and educator wages and benefits.

Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks

Cracking Down on Pass-Throughs In the News

Cracking Down on Pass-Throughs

In an op-ed published by Democracy Journal, Corey Husak writes about how wealthy Americans are increasingly using complex networks of “pass-through” businesses and shell companies to avoid paying taxes, driving up economic inequalities.

Democracy Journal

Corey Husak

The Nationwide Child Care Crisis: Addressing Affordability and Supply Shortages Past Event

The Nationwide Child Care Crisis: Addressing Affordability and Supply Shortages

A discussion about new research, the impacts on families and communities, and the actions that leaders in Congress are taking now to build toward a child care system for the future that supports the nation’s youngest learners.

Center for American Progress and Online via Zoom

CAP Urges Stronger Accountability Metrics and Greater Transparency in Federally Funded Postsecondary Programs Article

CAP Urges Stronger Accountability Metrics and Greater Transparency in Federally Funded Postsecondary Programs

The Center for American Progress recently urged the U.S. Department of Education to reconsider proposed changes that could weaken safeguards for higher education students. As written, the proposal risks allowing low-value postsecondary programs to continue receiving federal aid, potentially steering students, especially those with limited financial resources, into pathways that fail to deliver meaningful economic returns.

Madison Weiss

CAP Comments on Individual Tax Credit for Qualified Contributions to Scholarship-Granting Organizations Article

CAP Comments on Individual Tax Credit for Qualified Contributions to Scholarship-Granting Organizations

The Center for American Progress submitted comments to the U.S. Department of the Treasury on the pending rules for the new individual tax credit program, which provides a federal dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $1,700 to individuals who donate to scholarship-granting organizations.

Weadé James, Paige Shoemaker DeMio

Rideshare Win Could Bring Big Changes In the News

Rideshare Win Could Bring Big Changes

In an op-ed for Progressive Magazine, David Madland argues that if a new union in Massachusetts representing app drivers is replicated nationwide, it could reverse decades of union decline.

Progressive Magazine

David Madland

Capping Rental Application Fees at $5 Report
Apartments for rent are seen in the East Village in New York City on May 11, 2026.

Capping Rental Application Fees at $5

With rents stuck high, a Center for American Progress proposal to cap application fees would provide renters with immediate relief.

Chad Maisel

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