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
Q&A With CAP’s New Senior Vice President for Education, Jesse O’Connell
Guns and Violence Against Women: A Summary of Key Challenges and Solutions
Comment on Georgia Access Model Section 1332 Waiver
Education Policies Need To Address the Unique Needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities
Latest
Trump raved about his COVID treatment, but hardly anyone can get it. We need a better plan.
Topher Spiro writes about why the monoclonal antibody treatment will not be widely available to those with COVID-19.
Conspiracy theories, misinformation, COVID-19, and the 2020 election
In a new survey, Daniel A. Cox and John Halpin examine the prevalence of misinformation about COVID-19, public confidence in the media, and concerns about the administration of the 2020 election.
The Pandemic Hurts Countries That Don’t Value Workers
Author Jacob Leibenluft explains how weak labor protections have made the United States more vulnerable to COVID-19.
COVID-19 second stimulus package standoff highlights Trump’s flawed economic agenda
Amid stalled negotiations on a second COVID-19 stimulus package, Brian Katulis and Aaron Klein discuss how President Trump's governing agenda guts America's global competitiveness.
The best route for moving up is in danger of being blocked
Through the lens of a community college student in rural Louisiana, Marcella Bombardieri describes why Congress must invest sufficiently in public colleges amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Uncertainty can ruin an economy. The bungled covid-19 response just adds to it.
Jacob Leibenluft writes about the significant economic implications of the Trump administration's response to COVID-19.
A New Social Contract for the 21st Century
In light of the glaring inequalities exposed by the coronavirus pandemic, Neera Tanden outlines the need for a comprehensive 21st-century social contract that will not only lead the United States into recovery but also rethink the existing relationship between individuals, corporations, and the government.
The Progressive Defense Budget
Lawrence J. Korb writes about decisions that should be made in the fiscal year 2021 defense budget—including the provision of funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Health care workforce challenges require transformative thinking on equity, pay
Authors Livia Lam and Daniel Bustillo examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed workforce inequities in pay and job quality in the health care industry .
Public Health, Not Politics, Should Guide Policies Inside Otay Mesa Detention Center
Jessica Cobian writes about the rapid spread of the coronavirus in the Otay Mesa Detention Center—and what ICE needs to do about it.