Departments

Economic Policy

We work to address the deep inequities in our economy to ensure that all Americans can live secure and stable lives.

Workers install visors into a new SUV on an assembly line in Kentucky. (Getty/Bill Pugliano)

What We're Doing

Building an economy for all

We need a new social compact with business that reenvisions their obligations to society on issues such as environmental and climate matters, economic opportunity for workers, paying their fair share in taxes, and racial equality in the pursuit of more equitable, sustainable growth.

Expanding worker power

We work to ensure executive actions and legislation promote high-quality jobs, increase worker power, and raise standards for government contract workers. As part of this effort, we are pushing for higher wages and strengthening workers’ voices in their workplaces.

Lifting families out of poverty

We seek to ensure that every American who works a full-time job can live a life of dignity and that all Americans can rely on strong and stable support programs when they need them. This includes expanding and streamlining vital programs, increasing wages, and creating economic mobility for all. 

 

Championing a new social compact

We need a new social compact with businesses that reimagines their obligations to society on issues such as environmental and climate matters; paying their fair share in taxes; economic opportunity for workers; and racial equality in the pursuit of more sustainable, innovative growth.

 

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Featured Experts

Recent work

Latest

Compact View

2026 CAP IDEAS Conference Past Event

2026 CAP IDEAS Conference

The Center for American Progress’ signature event, now celebrating its 15th year, where CAP convenes the big thinkers and doers on the center-left for a day of not only identifying the problems facing Americans, but also sharing solutions to improve the lives of all Americans.

Online via Zoom

Lowering the Cost of Living for American Families Article
Prospective homebuyers leave a property.

Lowering the Cost of Living for American Families

As families struggle to make ends meet amid rising costs, the Center for American Progress’ affordability agenda would save a typical family $4,133 per year across housing, health care, utility bills, and groceries.

Emily Gee, Kennedy Andara

The American workforce is a matriarchy In the News

The American workforce is a matriarchy

In an op-ed for Salon, Sara Estep argues that insufficient access to high-quality, affordable child care is the real career killer for American mothers.

Salon

Sara Estep

Women Workers Are a Lifeline for the Economy Article
A masked doctor in a blue gown leans forward to tend to a patient lying in a hospital bed.

Women Workers Are a Lifeline for the Economy

As Mother’s Day approaches, April jobs data highlight that women have been a bright spot in a volatile labor market, and underneath that trend are working mothers’ labor force participation rates.

Sara Estep, Kennedy Andara

A multilateral green trade pact? In the News

A multilateral green trade pact?

In a podcast from the Lowy Institute, Ryan Mulholland discusses how governments can go about designing green trade agreements.

Lowy Institute

Ryan Mulholland

Unilateralism in trade calls for a new approach to build a green future In the News

Unilateralism in trade calls for a new approach to build a green future

In an essay published by the International Network of Energy Transition Think Tanks, Ryan Mulholland argues that climate and trade policy should be treated as complementary disciplines.

International Network of Energy Transition Think Tanks

Ryan Mulholland

6 Policies Proved To Increase Union Membership Report

6 Policies Proved To Increase Union Membership

Evidence shows that more workers join unions when policies support workplace organizing, access, sectoral bargaining, the Ghent system, and dues paying, and provide funding.

David Madland

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