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
What To Know About the Gender Wage Gap as the Equal Pay Act Turns 60
CAP Leads Letter to Treasury on Puerto Rico’s Eligibility for Critical Inflation Reduction Act Investments
Building on Employment and Wage Gains for Working-Class Women Requires Ongoing Federal Investments
Understanding Direct Pay and Transferability for Tax Credits in the Inflation Reduction Act
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
What To Know About the Gender Wage Gap as the Equal Pay Act Turns 60
New analysis by the Center for American Progress shows that working women have cumulatively lost $61 trillion in wages since 1967.
CAP Leads Letter to Treasury on Puerto Rico’s Eligibility for Critical Inflation Reduction Act Investments
The Center for American Progress submitted a letter to the Department of Treasury requesting guidance on Puerto Rico’s eligibility for investments in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Building on Employment and Wage Gains for Working-Class Women Requires Ongoing Federal Investments
The Biden administration’s legislative achievements offer promise in expanding and sustaining employment and wage gains for working-class women.
Understanding Direct Pay and Transferability for Tax Credits in the Inflation Reduction Act
The Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credit monetization provisions have the potential to transform the landscape of clean energy finance.
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.
Unions Build Wealth for the American Working Class
Union membership not only increases wealth for working-class families but also narrows racial wealth gaps and offers a path to the middle class.
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.
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.
How U.S. Regulators Can Help Community and Regional Banks Address Climate-Related Financial Risks
Federal banking regulators should incorporate climate-related guidance, information, and analysis in their oversight of small and midsize banks.
4 Things Bank Regulators Can Do to Help Prevent Bank Failures
In addressing the recent instability within the U.S. financial system, regulators must confront continuing risk and bank fragility.
Cashing in Our CHIPS: Community Colleges and the CHIPS and Science Act
Speaker McCarthy’s Debt Ceiling Proposal Would Undo Benefits of Inflation Reduction Act
Leaders in the House Republican caucus are trying to gut the Biden administration’s climate law; here’s what Americans stand to lose.
Work Requirements Are Expensive for the Government To Administer and Don’t Lead To More Employment
The creation of additional bureaucracy to take basic supports away from Americans would be costly to the federal government and ineffective in promoting employment.
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.
Congress Must Bolster Youth Employment Programs To Secure America’s Economic Future
Millions of young people are disconnected from work and school, but Congress can help them access subsidized employment and supportive services to jump-start their careers.
Biden’s job creation efforts are helping women get higher pay and better work
Rose Khattar and Lauren Hoffman explain how President Biden’s historic economic investments offer an opportunity to bring women more good-paying jobs in fields where they have been underrepresented.
Biden Tax Proposals Would Correct Inequities Created by Trump Tax Cuts and Raise Additional Revenues
President Biden’s fiscal year 2024 tax proposal would impose new taxes on unearned income, while improving the child tax credit.
Bank Failures Highlight Need for a Strong and Independent CFPB
The CFPB faces legal and political challenges amid instability in the banking system.
What Policymakers Need To Know About Today’s Working Class
The working class works primarily in service-sector jobs and is more racially and ethnically diverse than ever.
Second Chance Policies Help Individuals Leaving Incarceration Build Financial Security
Second chance policies help returning citizens access education, workforce training, and other wraparound services to prepare for success in the labor market and build long-term financial stability.
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.
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.
Toward a Collective Vision for Improving Contraceptive Access
Please join the Center for American Progress for an event featuring an expert panel discussing their vision for equitable access to birth control in the United States.
3 Ways States Can Expand and Sustain the Infrastructure Workforce by Meeting Child Care Needs
To improve recruitment, training, and retention in the construction industry, states should utilize infrastructure funds to address workers’ child care needs.
Funding for Federal Student Aid: A Defining Moment for Higher Education Programs
Jared C. Bass, senior director for Higher Education at the Center for American Progress, testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education on the importance of funding for the Office of Federal Student Aid.