Center for American Progress

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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 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

134K

An estimated 134,000 families are pushed into poverty each year by child care expenses.

CAP, “Child Care Expenses Push an Estimated 134,000 Families Into Poverty Each Year” (2024).

A group of parents is seen outside of a day care center. Some of them are pushing strollers.
Child Care Expenses Push an Estimated 134,000 Families Into Poverty Each Year

85%

The number of businesses grew in 85 percent of counties between 2019 and 2023.

CAP, “Entrepreneurship, Startups, and Business Formation Are Booming Across the U.S.” (2024).

An
Entrepreneurship, Startups, and Business Formation Are Booming Across the U.S.

10%

An estimated 10 percent wage premium is experienced by union members compared with similar nonunion members.

CAP, “4 Ways Unions Make Our Economy and Democracy Stronger” (2024).

Members of the Boston Teachers Union and their supporters rally in support of contract measures.
4 Ways Unions Make Our Economy and Democracy Stronger

54%

Permanently extending the Trump tax cuts would increase the fiscal gap by 54 percent.

CAP, “Permanently Extending the Trump Tax Cuts Would Increase Upward Pressure on the Debt Ratio by More Than 50 Percent” (2024).

Capitol building and overcast sky
Permanently Extending the Trump Tax Cuts Would Increase Upward Pressure on the Debt Ratio by More Than 50 Percent

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A Year in Review: How the Trump Administration’s Economic Policies Made Life Less Affordable for Americans Article
An American flag hangs in the background as Donald Trump enters the stage for his inauguration on January 20, 2025.

A Year in Review: How the Trump Administration’s Economic Policies Made Life Less Affordable for Americans

The first year of the Trump administration has left Americans struggling with increased costs of living due to its unprecedented tariffs, fewer job opportunities, and more expensive health care and utilities.

Kennedy Andara, Amina Khalique, Natalie Baker, 3 More Sara Estep, Natasha Murphy, Akshay Thyagarajan

Home Economics: Lowering Housing Costs for All Past Event

Home Economics: Lowering Housing Costs for All

Please join the Center for American Progress for a policy summit featuring Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) on the housing shortage and Senate Democrats’ plans to lower housing costs as part of a larger agenda to make life more affordable for every American.

Center for American Progress

This is how we solve America’s housing crisis Newsletter

This is how we solve America’s housing crisis

Join Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and others to learn what an ambitious housing agenda should look like.

Trump’s Attack on Child Care Funding Undermines Early Educators, Shortchanges Children, and Increases Costs for Families Article

Trump’s Attack on Child Care Funding Undermines Early Educators, Shortchanges Children, and Increases Costs for Families

The Trump administration leveraged allegations of fraud in Minnesota in an attempt to freeze essential child care funding, a move that reflects a dangerous, broader posture toward the early childhood community that threatens educators, parents, and children.

Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks

Virginia Workers’ Biggest Win in Decades Could Come in 2026 Report
Virginia State Capitol building

Virginia Workers’ Biggest Win in Decades Could Come in 2026

Virginia lawmakers can empower hundreds of thousands of state and local government workers to unionize and bargain collectively over wages, benefits, and working conditions. Doing so will help make work pay for Virginia families; allow state and local governments to attract and retain well-qualified workers; and align with the values of everyday Americans.

Karla Walter

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