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.

A child holds hands with her father and mother, January 12, 2020. (Getty/The Washington Post/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

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

Latest

Five Facts on Older Women in the Labor Market Fact Sheet
Image showing a female grocery store employee putting pre-cut fruit onto a shelf.

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.

Beth Almeida, Sara Estep

The Tortured Path of the Gainful Employment Rule Article
The Capitol building seen at the top of outdoor stairs

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.

Madison Weiss

An Overlooked Financial Aid Tool Can Help More Adults Reach College Report
Department of Education exterior

An Overlooked Financial Aid Tool Can Help More Adults Reach College

The Ability to Benefit provision for federal financial aid is underutilized but has great potential to increase educational attainment among adults without high school diplomas.

Bradley D. Custer

5 Things To Know About the Child Care for Working Families Act Fact Sheet
An early childhood educator zips up the coat of her 3-year-old student .

5 Things To Know About the Child Care for Working Families Act

The Child Care for Working Families Act aims to expand access to and lower the cost of care for families, support child care workers, and address racial and gender disparities in the child care system.

the CAP Early Childhood Policy Team

Budget Caps Are Budget Cuts Article
Photo shows the Capitol building dome behind black fencing against a blue sky

Budget Caps Are Budget Cuts

The House Republican proposal to cap discretionary funding would lead to deep programmatic cuts, slashing funding by nearly 60 percent within a decade.

Bobby Kogan

The Inflation Reduction Act is opening doors for students In the News

The Inflation Reduction Act is opening doors for students

Georgia Tech doctoral student Juanita Hidalgo explains how a lack of domestic solar manufacturing contributes to fewer opportunities for students like her. But with new solar manufacturing projects spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act, Hidalgo is hopeful for expanded career opportunities in renewable energy.

Juanita Hidalgo

Telework is finally reaching rural America thanks to Biden’s investments in broadband In the News

Telework is finally reaching rural America thanks to Biden’s investments in broadband

Rural Pennsylvania resident Rachael Grinnell experienced disruptions to work due to a lack of access to affordable and reliable internet. She discusses her excitement for federal investments to expand high-speed, reliable internet to connect her rural community.

Rachael Grinnell

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