Building an Economy for All
Economic growth must be built on the foundation of a strong and secure middle class so that all Americans 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
5 Fast Facts About the FAMILY Act and Paid Leave
Five Facts on Older Women in the Labor Market
A new North Star on paid leave from the North Star State
Fast Facts About Minnesota’s New Paid Leave Law
Featured Experts
Bobby
Kogan
Senior Director, Federal Budget Policy
Kevin
DeGood
Director, Infrastructure Policy
Lilith
Fellowes-Granda
Senior Policy Analyst, Financial Regulation and Corporate Governance
Marc
Jarsulic
Senior Fellow; Chief Economist
David
Madland
Senior Fellow; Senior Adviser, American Worker Project
Alexandra
Thornton
Senior Director, Financial Regulation
Karla
Walter
Senior Director, Employment Policy
Christian E.
Weller
Senior Fellow
Mia
Ives-Rublee
Director, Disability Justice Initiative
Rose
Khattar
Director of Economic Analysis, Inclusive Economy
Lily
Roberts
Acting Vice President, Inclusive Economy
Marina
Zhavoronkova
Senior Fellow
Michela
Zonta
Senior Policy Analyst, Housing Policy
Alan
Cohen
Senior Fellow
Jean
Ross
Senior Fellow, Economic Policy
Molly
Weston Williamson
Senior Fellow
Sara
Estep
Associate Director
Tracy
Weitz
Senior Fellow
Beth
Almeida
Senior Fellow
Kierra B.
Jones
Policy Analyst
Becca
Damante
Senior Policy Analyst
Sabrina
Talukder
Director, Women’s Initiative
Maggie Jo
Buchanan
Senior Director and Senior Legal Fellow, Women’s Initiative
Latest
5 Fast Facts About the FAMILY Act and Paid Leave
Congressional leaders have reintroduced the FAMILY Act, which would provide paid family and medical leave to workers across the country.
Shining a Light on Older Women
Please join the Center for American Progress to discuss the multitude of issues faced by older women and to explore solutions to improve their lives.
Five Facts on Older Women in the Labor Market
Older women have made significant recoveries from their disproportionate labor force declines due to the pandemic and will become a larger share of the labor force in the coming decade, but there are many women in this age group who face barriers to enter and stay in the labor force.
A new North Star on paid leave from the North Star State
Molly Weston Williamson explains the national importance of Minnesota becoming the first state in the Midwest to guarantee paid leave.
Fast Facts About Minnesota’s New Paid Leave Law
With the governor’s signature, Minnesota’s new legislation will guarantee paid family and medical leave to nearly all workers, starting in 2026.
Testimony Before the Senate Budget Committee
Bobby Kogan testified before the U.S. Senate Budget Committee about the national debt.
The Economic Consequences of Default
Please join the Center for American Progress for a panel discussion with esteemed experts on the economic consequences of default.
The Tortured Path of the Gainful Employment Rule
As the U.S. Department of Education prepares to publish its final gainful employment rule, learn more about the history of this key consumer safeguard meant to eliminate the worst actors before multitudes of students fall prey to poor practices.
Nearly 15 Million Veterans and Their Family Members Could Be Harmed by Default
New analysis shows that millions of veterans may experience delays in receiving their pensions, disability compensation, educational allowances, or health care if Congress doesn’t raise, suspend, or eliminate the debt ceiling.
Paid Leave Is an Essential Investment in Retirement Security
Guaranteeing paid leave for all would powerfully bolster economic security in retirement, particularly for women.
Universal Paid Sick Time Would Strengthen Public Health and Benefit Businesses
A national, guaranteed right to paid sick time is essential for the well-being of workers and their families and would have profound positive impacts on public health and businesses.
Default Would Have a Catastrophic Impact on the Economy
Failure to increase the debt limit would have grave consequences for the U.S. economy, the global financial system, and the well-being of American families.