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
2021 Was a Year of Bold Economic Policy That Must Be Extended
A plethora of temporary programs helped low-income Americans weather the pandemic in 2021, and extending them would be a meaningful step toward building an economy that works for all.
Raising Wages and Narrowing Pay Gaps With Service Sector Prevailing Wage Laws
Prevailing wage laws for government service contracts can uplift wages and benefits; reduce racial pay gaps; and could have a range of positive effects on worker turnover, service quality, local budgets, and collective bargaining.
Creating Protections for Index Investing
Capital allocation by investors is increasingly driven by indexes, and while index providers experience significant conflicts of interest, there are few guidelines to govern them.
Alleviating Food Insecurity in the Disabled Community
As food insecurity worsened for the disability community during the pandemic, several disability organizations developed innovative solutions that could provide a road map toward better equity around food access.
Rewarding Regional and Statewide Progress Through Competitive Federal Grant Applications
In order to incentivize states to develop coherent transportation plans that advance progressive policy goals, the U.S. Department of Transportation should consider both the regional and statewide transportation and land use context when making grant awards.
The SEC Should Write Its Own Environmental, Social, and Governance Rules
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission faces legal risks, as well as policy and administrative issues, if it delegates ESG standard-setting authority to a third party.
The American Rescue Plan Can Help States and Localities Meet Employment Goals and Invest in Workers
American Rescue Plan funding allows state and local governments to invest in employment solutions for their residents, including skills training, career pathways in educational settings, child care, and other basic needs.
Higher Minimum Wages Support Job Growth as the Economy Recovers From COVID-19
States that guarantee better pay for their workers have added more jobs in 2021 than states with lower minimum and subminimum wages.
The United States Must Advance Economic Security for Disabled LGBTQI+ Workers
Data indicate that disabled LGBTQI+ workers experience higher rates of barriers to obtaining and maintaining employment, resulting in difficulties in obtaining economic security.
Prospects for Diplomacy With North Korea
Given political considerations in the United States and South Korea, a diplomatic approach with North Korea is likely unsustainable in the long term.