Building an Economy for All
Economic growth must be built on the foundation of a strong and secure middle class so that all Americans, not just those at the top, benefit from growth.
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
60M
The families of more than 60 million children have received CTC monthly payments since July 2021.
CAP, “Making the CTC and EITC Expansions Permanent Would Reduce Poverty and Grow the Economy” (2021).
$100
In 32 states, a typical family would save more than $100 per week on child care under the Build Back Better Act.
CAP, “The Build Back Better Act Would Greatly Lower Families’ Child Care Costs” (2021).
$22.5B
In a year, workers and their families lose $22.5 billion in wages due to lack of access to paid family and medical leave.
CAP, “A Real Recovery for Women Cannot Happen Without the Build Back Better Agenda” (2021).
$3.6T
The Build Back Better Act would raise $3.6 trillion in revenue to support investments in an inclusive, high-growth economy.
CAP, “Addressing Tax System Failings That Favor Billionaires and Corporations” (2021).
What You Can Do
Recent work
Teacher Preparation Shortcuts Won’t Solve the Teacher Shortage
School Air Filtration and Ventilation Strategies To Improve Health, Education, Equity, and Environmental Outcomes
5 Little-Known Facts About Taxes and Inequality in America
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The Economic Realities of Child Care
Child care often is treated like a private family issue, but lack of access has cascading negative impacts on child care providers, small-business owners, and broader communities.
Teacher Preparation Shortcuts Won’t Solve the Teacher Shortage
Recently passed legislation that reduces training requirements for teachers will harm student learning, weaken the profession, and ignore the systemic issues that have long contributed to teacher shortages.
School Air Filtration and Ventilation Strategies To Improve Health, Education, Equity, and Environmental Outcomes
Upgrading school ventilation and air filtration is a critical part of a multilayered strategy to improve and protect health, education, the environment, and equity.
5 Little-Known Facts About Taxes and Inequality in America
Rich Americans face the lowest payroll tax rates and benefit from skewed income tax deductions, loopholes, and rate preferences.
Reconciliation can be a game changer for pro-worker policies
David Madland argues that the Inflation Reduction Act has opened the door for future pro-worker policies to pass through the budget reconciliation process.
State Abortion Bans Will Harm Women and Families’ Economic Security Across the US
State abortion bans will negatively affect women and families’ economic security as well as state and local economies.
3 Things to Know Now that President Biden Has Canceled At Least $10,000 in Student Debt
Student debt cancellation is a bold step for the higher education system—and one that will benefit a wide cross-section of people and communities throughout the country.
Canceling at Least $10,000 of Student Loan Debt Will Help Lower the Cost of Living
Canceling student loans offers targeted relief crucial to helping households improve their financial security—it is not a decisive factor in battling inflation.
Increasing America’s Child Care Supply
With additional funding, an existing federal subsidy program could forestall closures and supply losses in the child care sector until policymakers secure meaningful investments.
The Rental Housing Crisis Is a Supply Problem That Needs Supply Solutions
Policymakers must prioritize improving housing access and affordability for low-income households through immediate and long-term investments.
CAP’s Comment on the SEC Proposed Rule on Disclosures by Certain Investment Advisers and Companies About ESG Investment Practices
The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the commission’s proposed rule on enhanced disclosures by certain investment advisers and investment companies about ESG investment practices.
CAP’s Comment on the SEC Investment Company Names Proposed Rule
The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the commission’s proposed rule on investment company names.