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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.
May 19, 2026 Online via Zoom 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM EDT
Building an Economy for All, Restoring Social Trust in Democracy, Access to Affordable Early Care and Education, Affordable Housing, Artificial Intelligence, Asia-Pacific, Budget, Canada, Child Care, China, College Affordability and Student Debt, Competitiveness, Courts, Defense, Democracy, Domestic Policy, Economy, Elections, Europe, Food Insecurity, Foreign Policy, Government Reform, Growing the Middle Class, Health Care Costs, Housing, Immigration, Infrastructure, Innovation, Iran, Israel, Jobs, Latin America, Mexico, Middle East, Middle-Class Economics, National Security, Policing, Public Safety, Rural America, Russia, State and Local Policy, Supreme Court, Trade, Trump Administration, Ukraine, Unions, Voting Rights, Wages+45 More
Director, Media Relations
[email protected]
Senior Director, Media Relations
Managing Director, Government Affairs
Director, Government Affairs
Senior Director, Government Affairs
Senior Manager, State and Local Government Affairs
In this critical year for American democracy, the CAP IDEAS conference brings together the broad center-left’s leading thinkers and doers to share their ideas on economic policy, national security, protecting civil liberties, and the future of our democracy.
MS NOW will serve as the official media partner for the conference across all platforms.
Please use this Google form to submit either before or during the conference, and your question may make its debut on the CAP IDEAS stage!
A full agenda for the conference, along with online-exclusive programming, can be found below.
Questions? Email [email protected] and we’ll get back to you!
Online via Zoom
9:00 AM - 9:04 AM
9:04 AM - 9:09 AM
Opening remarks
President and CEO, Center for American Progress
9:09 AM - 9:22 AM
Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, will lay out how the conflict in Iran is driving up costs for every American and offer his ideas for the path forward.
Remarks
D-AZ
9:22 AM - 10:00 AM
Americans are finding it harder to make ends meet as costs creep up on everything from groceries to health care to housing. Reps. Greg Casar, Maxwell Frost, and Lauren Underwood will discuss how the Hill can take action to make life more affordable. Moderated by MS NOW's Catherine Rampell.
Distinguished panelist
D-TX
U.S. House of Representatives
D-FL
D-IL
Moderated by
Co-host, The Weekend: Primetime
MS NOW
10:00 AM - 10:25 AM
Gov. Mikie Sherrill is showing the country how states can—and should—use every tool at their disposal to bring down costs for working families, especially utility costs. Moderated by Alicia Menendez.
Introduction by
Senior Vice President, Energy and Environment
Remarks and in conversation
D-NJ
Co-host, The Weeknight
10:25 AM - 10:40 AM
Coffee and beverages are available in the Promenade Foyer.
10:26 AM - 10:40 AM
virtual exclusive
Virtual programming host Colin Seeberger is joined by CAP's Director of Democracy Policy Greta Bedekovics, who has been leading the charge against the discriminatory SAVE Act.
Senior Adviser
Director of Democracy
10:40 AM - 10:43 AM
10:43 AM - 11:05 AM
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries will lay out what a new majority would do on day one and beyond. Moderated by John Podesta.
In conversation
D-NY
Founder and Chairman of the Board
11:05 AM - 11:40 AM
Rep. Robert Garcia and Mayor Jacob Frey will discuss what's at stake for civil rights and civil liberties this year, including how mayors and a new Congress might act to check Trump. Moderated by Ari Melber.
Distinguished guest
D-CA
Ranking Member, House Oversight Committee, U.S. House of Representatives
Minneapolis, MN
Host, The Beat with Ari Melber
11:40 AM - 12:05 PM
Gov. Abigail Spanberger will outline her agenda to make life more affordable for Virginians, as well as the state’s unique role in the America250 celebrations. Moderated by Jonathan Capehart.
Introduced by
Counselor; President, Center for American Progress Action Fund
D-VA
Co-host, The Weekend
12:05 PM - 12:35 PM
In-person attendees can pick up their lunches in the Promenade Foyer outside the conference room.
12:06 PM - 12:21 PM
Host Colin Seeberger talks with CAP Senior Vice President for Energy and Environment Trevor Higgins about CAP's new plan to reign in utility costs.
12:22 PM - 12:35 PM
Host Colin Seeberger talks with CAP Senior Fellow Chad Maisel about CAP's plan to ease the housing crisis.
Senior Fellow, Economic Policy
12:35 PM - 1:14 PM
Gov. Gavin Newsom will lay out ideas on artificial intelligence, discuss the stakes for democracy of our politics today, and consider how to meet the current moment. Moderated by Neera Tanden.
Introduced by and in conversation with
1:14 PM - 1:45 PM
Sen. Andy Kim and former Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield will discuss a vision for America’s foreign policy that strengthens America without bullying allies. Moderated by Jen Psaki.
Senior Vice President, National Security and International Policy
United States Senate
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
2021-2025
Host, The Briefing with Jen Psaki
1:45 PM - 1:47 PM
Video highlighting Global Progress Action's 2025 and 2026 summits (in London, UK and Toronto, Canada, respectively), along with the 2026 Global Progressive Mobilisation in Barcelona, Spain.
1:47 PM - 2:00 PM
Refreshments are available in the Promenade Foyer for in-person attendees.
1:48 PM - 2:00 PM
In the final virtual exclusive segment of the day, host Colin Seeberger is joined by CAP Senior Fellow Topher Spiro as they discuss CAP's plan to lower health care costs for everyday Americans.
Senior Fellow, Health Policy
2:00 PM - 2:35 PM
Ezra Klein will explore what a new approach to artificial intelligence might look like—one intended to maximize AI’s benefits for the public. Moderated by Chris Hayes.
Host, The Ezra Klein Show podcast
Host, All In with Chris Hayes
2:36 PM - 2:46 PM
2:49 PM - 3:02 PM
Sen. Elizabeth Warren will lay out an agenda for universal child care.
Senior Fellow
D-MA
3:02 PM - 3:29 PM
Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock will discuss the path forward for voting rights post-Callais. Moderated by Symone Sanders Townsend.
D-GA
U.S. Senate
3:30 PM - 3:37 PM
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer will discuss election security ahead of the midterms.
3:37 PM - 4:09 PM
Sen. Cory Booker will provide remarks ahead of a frank conversation about how economic growth can benefit working families across the country. Moderated by Neera Tanden.
Featuring introductory remarks by
4:09 PM - 4:30 PM
Gov. Wes Moore will explain how his administration is delivering record crime decreases for Maryland.
D-MD
4:30 PM - 4:32 PM
CAP President and CEO Neera Tanden offers closing remarks.
Closing remarks
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