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
Federal Contractors Are Violating Workers’ Rights and Harming the U.S. Government
Strengthening Federal Network Adequacy Requirements for ACA Marketplace Plans
The American Rescue Plan Shored Up Child Care, But a Long-Term Solution Is Necessary
Where Is Russia’s War Against Ukraine Headed?
Latest
Federal Contractors Are Violating Workers’ Rights and Harming the U.S. Government
New analysis from the Center for American Progress Action Fund finds that government contractors that break workplace laws frequently perform poorly and waste public resources.
The American Rescue Plan Shored Up Child Care, But a Long-Term Solution Is Necessary
The American Rescue Plan provided much-needed funding to protect the child care sector from collapse, but long-term investments are critical to achieve lasting infrastructural change.
The ARP Grew the Economy, Reduced Poverty, and Eased Financial Hardship for Millions
Data show that in just one year, the 2021 American Rescue Plan eased hardship for millions of Americans and demonstrated the need for further federal investment to build a long-term, equitable economy that works for all.
Ensuring Women’s Economic Security Requires More Than a Return to the Pre-Pandemic Status Quo
Bold policy reforms are needed to help complete the recovery in women’s employment from the coronavirus pandemic and strengthen their long-term economic security.
Congress may be getting it wrong: Crypto should be regulated just like other financial assets
Todd Phillips and Alex Thornton question Congress' current approach to crypto regulation and urge a new path forward.
Congress Must Not Provide Statutory Carveouts for Crypto Assets
Crypto assets are subject to existing federal statutes, and regulators should enforce those laws just as Congress has authorized; meanwhile, Congress should focus on filling in the statutory gaps.
Budget Cuts Are To Blame for Tax-Filing Season Challenges
Congress must act now to improve customer service and close the tax gap.
Workforce Development’s Role in Building the Infrastructure Labor Force
Marina Zhavoronkova, a senior fellow on the Poverty to Prosperity team at American Progress, discusses the important role the public workforce development system can play in building a skilled, diverse infrastructure workforce.
Child Care Spending Generates Massive Dividends
Major child care investments pay for themselves through a range of benefits, including improved child and family health, bolstered educational outcomes, and economic recovery.
Expanded Child Tax Credits Have Been a Lifeline for Many
Expanded child tax credit payments have provided much-needed financial support to a wide range of families across income level, race/ethnicity, and education.