Deborah
Alston

Operations Specialist

Team
Human Resources

Contact

Close

Contact
Deborah Alston

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*

Latest

Compact View

Panel Discussion Upcoming Session

Panel Discussion

A panel discussion with representatives from the Center for American Progress, the AFL-CIO Tech Institute, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Public Citizen, and Public Knowledge for a discussion about why state preemption of AI, child safety, and privacy laws is not the path forward for meaningful AI legislation and what real issues must be prioritized in any meaningful federal AI legislation.

Online only

State Climate Action in 2026: How States Are Delivering Real Benefits Through Climate and Clean Energy Policy Report
An electric vehicle is seen charging in a parking lot in Storrs, Connecticut, on March 31, 2026.

State Climate Action in 2026: How States Are Delivering Real Benefits Through Climate and Clean Energy Policy

As the Trump administration drives up costs and creates new challenges, states are making timely decisions on infrastructure and accountability, advancing policies that tackle climate change, lower energy bills, improve air quality, and support good-paying clean energy jobs.

Frederick Bell

Trump and Congressional Republicans’ Plan To Pump More Money Into ICE and Border Patrol Is a Missed Opportunity To Help Americans Article
The U.S. Capitol building is seen.

Trump and Congressional Republicans’ Plan To Pump More Money Into ICE and Border Patrol Is a Missed Opportunity To Help Americans

Rather than funneling more money into immigration enforcement and border protection, Congress should be ensuring Americans can afford basic necessities such as health care and groceries.

Bobby Kogan

Why Alaska and U.S. Territories Get Damage, Not Dollars, From Deep-Sea Mining Article
Person sitting on beach and others in the ocean, with city buildings in the background

Why Alaska and U.S. Territories Get Damage, Not Dollars, From Deep-Sea Mining

The Trump administration is advancing deep-sea mining in U.S. waters near the Pacific territories and Alaska, a process Indigenous leaders have identified as "resource colonialism" due to its prioritization of corporate interests, the permanent ecological damage it causes, and the fact that its profits flow outward to shareholders while providing no economic benefits to communities struggling with high costs, precarious jobs, and faltering public services.

The one question Trump’s Fed chair nominee must answer In the News

The one question Trump’s Fed chair nominee must answer

In an op-ed published by MS NOW, Jared Bernstein urges Congress to probe Federal Reserve chairman nominee Kevin Warsh on whether he is willing to stand up to President Donald Trump and maintain Fed independence.

MS NOW

Jared Bernstein

Voters’ Response to Messaging Ahead of ICE Reconciliation Funding Bill Article

Voters’ Response to Messaging Ahead of ICE Reconciliation Funding Bill

Assessing the support for hypothetical messaging ahead of congressional Republicans’ effort to provide tens of billions of dollars in new funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

Stabilizing and Strengthening State Funding for Public Higher Education After the Big Beautiful Bill Report
A hand raising a graduation cap

Stabilizing and Strengthening State Funding for Public Higher Education After the Big Beautiful Bill

Despite steep federal funding cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill, states can continue to support public higher education by creating progressive state tax revenue streams and strengthening rainy day funds to support postsecondary student success and degree completion.

Sara Partridge

An EU-China bridge is designed to crumble In the News

An EU-China bridge is designed to crumble

In an op-ed published by Euractiv, Robert Benson explains why Europe should not let its prosperity be contingent on Beijing’s tolerance.

Euractiv

Robert Benson

Abortion is a Religious Freedom: Opinion In the News

Abortion is a Religious Freedom: Opinion

In an op-ed for Rewire News Group, Sally Steenland argues that abortion bans violate the constitutional right to religious freedom.

Rewire News Group

Sally Steenland

Federal and State Policy Outlook for Community Colleges Past Event

Federal and State Policy Outlook for Community Colleges

Join the CAP and the Community Colleges Coalition to explore how community colleges are adapting to new federal and state policies.

Online via Zoom

In Conversation Upcoming Session

In Conversation

A moderated conversation between James Carville and CAP's Frederick Bell

Climate Change Is Here—and America’s Most Marginalized Communities Are on the Front Lines Article
The image of Typhoon Sinlaku captured by satellite.

Climate Change Is Here—and America’s Most Marginalized Communities Are on the Front Lines

After Typhoon Sinlaku devastated the Northern Mariana Islands Tuesday, it is clear that climate change is already here—and hitting marginalized U.S. communities first. What comes next must be a commitment to resilience, preparedness, and equitable recovery.

The Trump Administration’s Changes to the Child Care and Development Fund Would Strip Families of Thousands of Dollars in Potential Child Care Savings Article
A child plays with blocks and puzzles.

The Trump Administration’s Changes to the Child Care and Development Fund Would Strip Families of Thousands of Dollars in Potential Child Care Savings

Removing a 7 percent cap on child care copayments would put much-needed relief from rising child care costs out of reach for families in 10 states.

Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks

Panel Discussion Upcoming Session

Panel Discussion

CAP’s Madison Weiss will lead a moderated conversation with policy experts.

Online via Zoom

Americans Want a Health Care Agenda That Reduces Costs Now Article

Americans Want a Health Care Agenda That Reduces Costs Now

A series of surveys fielded by the Center for American Progress and Blue Rose Research finds that Americans are prepared to support significant, even aggressive, health care reforms if they can plausibly deliver lower costs in the near term.

Executive Summary: A Patients’ Bill of Rights To Lower Health Care Costs Fact Sheet
Two prescription pill bottles on table, one standing and one on its side with pills spilling out

Executive Summary: A Patients’ Bill of Rights To Lower Health Care Costs

CAP’s plan would limit unjustified premium increases; reduce deductibles by reining in outlier hospital prices; and replace prior authorization with independent, evidence-based clinical review to lower health care costs and increase access to timely care.

The Dangers of Hegseth’s “Warfighter” Ethos In the News

The Dangers of Hegseth’s “Warfighter” Ethos

In an op-ed for Just Security, Allison McManus outlines the dangers of Pete Hegseth's approach to foreign policy, arguing its "maximum lethality" ethos fails to leverage the real strengths of the U.S. armed forces.

Just Security

Allison McManus

What City Leaders Say Is Helping Drive Down Gun Violence in Their Communities Report
A group of people stand gathered at a march to denounce gun violence. A man in the foreground raises his fist in the air.

What City Leaders Say Is Helping Drive Down Gun Violence in Their Communities

Estimates suggest that 2025 marked another historic year of declining gun violence nationwide since the COVID-era surge. Here is what officials from cities seeing the largest declines in gun violence are saying about how they have improved public safety since 2021.

Chandler Hall

Trump’s ‘God Squad’ Is Killing Whales Under the Guise of National Security Article
The sun sets behind an offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

Trump’s ‘God Squad’ Is Killing Whales Under the Guise of National Security

Under the pretense of national security, and amid a self-inflicted energy crisis of President Trump’s own making, the administration’s “God Squad” has exempted all Gulf of Mexico oil and gas activities from the Endangered Species Act, risking the extinction of critically endangered species such as the Rice’s whale.

5 Things You Should Know About AI Right Now In the News

5 Things You Should Know About AI Right Now

In an op-ed for The Contrarian, Adam Conner outlines five things to know about the state of artificial intelligence today.

The Contrarian

Adam Conner

Volatile Job Numbers Mask Stagnant Labor Market in the Trump Administration’s Economy: Analysis of the March 2026 Jobs Report Article
People waiting in line outdoors, their backs to the camera

Volatile Job Numbers Mask Stagnant Labor Market in the Trump Administration’s Economy: Analysis of the March 2026 Jobs Report

Job growth over the past year has been flat, even as jobs numbers rebounded in March 2026, resulting in persistent struggles for young workers, workers with college degrees, and Black workers.

Introductory Remarks Upcoming Session

Introductory Remarks

CAP's Senior Vice President for Energy and Environment Trevor Higgins will provide introductory remarks.

Center for American Progress

Panel Discussion Upcoming Session

Panel Discussion

Allison McManus, managing director for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress, will moderate a conversation with expert panelists based in the region.

Trading Offshore Wind for LNG: A Lose-Lose for Americans Article
The Sabine Pass LNG plant is seen in Cameron, Louisiana.

Trading Offshore Wind for LNG: A Lose-Lose for Americans

The Interior Department’s unprecedented deal with TotalEnergies redirects nearly $1 billion in taxpayer dollars away from reliable domestic electricity production and into volatile fossil fuels destined for export, signaling a new, corrupt approach to depriving the nation’s grid of new sources of clean energy.

Jasia Smith, Mike Williams

Expert Panel Upcoming Session

Expert Panel

Discussion by economic experts on the cost impacts of Trump's war of choice in Iran.

Trump Wants to Destroy Anthropic Because It Is Doing Congress’ Job of Preventing Him from Abusing AI In the News

Trump Wants to Destroy Anthropic Because It Is Doing Congress’ Job of Preventing Him from Abusing AI

In an essay published by The UnPopulist, Adam Conner argues that the Trump administration wants to ignore the safety restrictions that guide ethical use of AI in order to assert American dominance, including in the war on Iran.

The UnPopulist

Adam Conner

Panel Discussion Upcoming Session

Panel Discussion

Frederick Bell, CAP's associate director for state climate policy, will moderate a discussion with local leaders.

Center for American Progress

Panel Discussion Upcoming Session

Panel Discussion

CAP Managing Director for Economic Policy Lily Roberts will moderate a panel discussion with leading experts on raising wages from around the country.

Keynote Remarks Upcoming Session

Keynote Remarks

Arin Dube, University of Massachusetts Amherst Provost Professor of Economics and author of the forthcoming The Wage Standard: What’s Wrong in the Labor Market and How to Fix It will provide keynote remarks.

Introductory Remarks Upcoming Session

Introductory Remarks

CAP President and CEO Neera Tanden will provide introductory remarks.

Updated: TrumpRx Discounts 0.13 Percent of Prescription Drugs While 22 Million Americans See Costs Rise Article
Shelves at a pharmacy are stacked with bottles of prescription medication.

Updated: TrumpRx Discounts 0.13 Percent of Prescription Drugs While 22 Million Americans See Costs Rise

Premiums have more than doubled for millions of Americans since enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits expired, and millions more are projected to lose coverage over the next decade. The administration’s response: a coupon portal covering 80 out of more than 24,000 FDA-approved drugs, with new savings on at most 31.

Introductory Remarks Upcoming Session

Introductory Remarks

Introductory and welcome remarks by CAP's President and CEO Neera Tanden.

Panel Discussion Upcoming Session

Panel Discussion

Our expert panel discusses the facts about the school bombing and its implications for the U.S. military and the future of warfare.

No More Reacting: An Argument for a Clean Industrial Policy—and Against Competitiveness as an Organizing Economic Principle Report
Workers walk past the construction site of an offshore wind project in New London, Connecticut, on August 25, 2025.

No More Reacting: An Argument for a Clean Industrial Policy—and Against Competitiveness as an Organizing Economic Principle

Moving beyond the failures of the Trump administration, the United States will need to embrace a strategy for fighting the climate crisis that prioritizes values such as support for working people and establishes a precedent for international collaboration.

Congress Must Stop Prediction Market Corruption Article
Prediction market sites are shown on electronic devices.

Congress Must Stop Prediction Market Corruption

Recent reports of prediction market bets made ahead of surprise government actions point to potentially corrupt use of insider information for personal profit. Congress must put an end to this practice.

Alexandra Thornton

Regional Recalibration After the Iran Strikes Article

Regional Recalibration After the Iran Strikes

President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran has upended a careful balance regional actors have long sought to strike between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

H.A. Hellyer

4 Things To Know About Sectoral Bargaining Article
A construction worker on a ladder is one of five on the site of a new building in San Francisco.

4 Things To Know About Sectoral Bargaining

Sectoral bargaining strengthens worker voice, boosts pay and benefits, and supports a stronger middle class—and more of it can happen with the right policy changes.

David Madland

‘Among Neighbors’: A Reel Progress Screening Past Event
Promotional poster for

‘Among Neighbors’: A Reel Progress Screening

Join the Center for American Progress for the Washington, D.C., premiere of "Among Neighbors" followed by a conversation with director and producer, Yoav Potash.

Center for American Progress

Panel Discussion Upcoming Session

Panel Discussion

Guests discuss their roles leading prior evacuations, and detail what congressional oversight has looked like in the past.

Trump’s Short-Sighted Africa Strategy Article

Trump’s Short-Sighted Africa Strategy

The Trump administration views the African continent as “peripheral” to U.S. interests—a gross strategic miscalculation that will set back America’s security, competitiveness, and influence in the years to come.

Melissa Zelikoff

Immigrants Make the Labor Market Great Article
Two immigrant workers get ready for their day.

Immigrants Make the Labor Market Great

CAP analysis of the February 2026 employment report shows that President Trump’s promises to native-born workers have yet to materialize while reduced immigration is poised to have a negative effect overall on employment and wages in the long run.

Sara Estep, Kennedy Andara

The Trump Administration’s Trade Deals Are the Epitome of Corporate-Style ‘Short-Termism’ in Foreign Policy, and the American People Will Pay the Price for Years To Come Article
The presidential podium in front of curtains

The Trump Administration’s Trade Deals Are the Epitome of Corporate-Style ‘Short-Termism’ in Foreign Policy, and the American People Will Pay the Price for Years To Come

The lasting consequences of the Trump administration’s trade policy demonstrate the cost of headline-chasing leadership.

Ryan Mulholland

Panel Discussion Upcoming Session

Panel Discussion

A panel discussion with leading experts on AI and defense to find out what is going to happen next between the DOD and Anthropic.

Online only

An Update on Military Actions in Iran Past Event
President Donald Trump tours the assembly line at the Ford River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan.

An Update on Military Actions in Iran

CAP experts are ready to fill you in on the details and repercussions of military actions in Iran.

Online via Zoom

Are the Iran strikes a good idea? In the News

Are the Iran strikes a good idea?

In a symposium for NOTUS, Damian Murphy argued that the U.S. strikes on Iran were wrong and unlawful, adding that American voters don't support regime change wars.

NOTUS

Damian Murphy

In discussion Upcoming Session

In discussion

A panel of CAP experts discusses the ongoing situation in Iran.

What Both Anthropic and the Pentagon Get Wrong In the News

What Both Anthropic and the Pentagon Get Wrong

In an op-ed for The New York Times, Frank Kendall writes about the standoff between Anthropic and the Department of Defense, arguing that Congress must pass strong regulations on artificial intelligence to ensure a level playing field and balanced interests.

The New York Times

Frank Kendall

The SAVE America Act Explained: How the New ‘Show Your Papers’ Voting Bill Is Even More Extreme Than the SAVE Act Report
U.S. Capitol at night with various lights

The SAVE America Act Explained: How the New ‘Show Your Papers’ Voting Bill Is Even More Extreme Than the SAVE Act

At President Donald Trump’s urging, Congress is intent on passing an even more extreme version of the SAVE Act. But no matter what the far right calls these “show your papers” bills, its push to require Americans to show a passport or birth certificate to vote threatens to silence millions.

Gréta Bedekovics

In Conversation Upcoming Session

In Conversation

A moderated conversation and audience Q&A with the film's director, writer and producer Yoav Potash.

The Nature Gap: Communities of Color and Those With Low Incomes Are Bearing the Brunt of America’s Nature Loss Report
Chemical plants and factories line the roads and suburbs of

The Nature Gap: Communities of Color and Those With Low Incomes Are Bearing the Brunt of America’s Nature Loss

New analysis reveals persistent environmental inequality in the United States. Communities of color are three times more likely than white communities to live in nature-deprived areas, and three-quarters of residents of these areas have low household incomes.

Fact Sheet: The Nature Gap: Communities of Color and Those With Low Incomes Are Bearing the Brunt of America’s Nature Loss Fact Sheet
A house is seen with a chemical plant in the background in Louisiana's

Fact Sheet: The Nature Gap: Communities of Color and Those With Low Incomes Are Bearing the Brunt of America’s Nature Loss

New analysis from Conservation Science Partners, the Center for American Progress, and Justice Outside reveals persistent inequality in nearby nature in the United States.

Our plan to slash your grocery bill Newsletter
A man shops for produce at a supermarket in California.

Our plan to slash your grocery bill

And how Trump’s policies are making utility rates skyrocket

Hoja informativa: Sin sorpresas en el supermercado: Un plan para que los alimentos sean asequibles Hoja informativa
People shop at a grocery store in Brooklyn.

Hoja informativa: Sin sorpresas en el supermercado: Un plan para que los alimentos sean asequibles

El plan de CAP se centraría en iniciativas federales para reducir los precios en el supermercado y permitir que los salarios se pongan al día con el aumento del precio de los alimentos, lo que le ahorraría a una familia típica de cuatro personas un promedio de $134 al año.

How Trump’s Unilateral Foreign Policy Has Eroded American Power Article
An American flag flies near the dome of the U.S. Capitol.

How Trump’s Unilateral Foreign Policy Has Eroded American Power

In his State of the Union address, President Trump will attempt to project strength. But while his administration’s unilateral foreign policy—from military strikes on Iran to reckless tariffs—expands the bounds of executive power, it has only weakened the United States on the world stage.

Allison McManus, Dawn Le

Executive Summary: Stopping Sticker Shock at the Grocery Store: A Plan To Make Food Affordable Fact Sheet
People shop at a grocery store in Brooklyn.

Executive Summary: Stopping Sticker Shock at the Grocery Store: A Plan To Make Food Affordable

CAP’s plan would focus on federal efforts to lower grocery costs and allow wages to catch up with the rising cost of food—saving the typical family of four an average of $134 annually.

Fact Sheet: 5 Hidden Ways the Government Rigs the Market in Favor of Fossil Fuels Fact Sheet
The Houston skyline is seen from an oil refinery.

Fact Sheet: 5 Hidden Ways the Government Rigs the Market in Favor of Fossil Fuels

Contrary to the Trump administration’s claims, fossil fuel industries have benefited heavily from government subsidies in the form of direct tax incentives, steep discounts on public lands, reduced permitting barriers, government services, and lack of accountability for their pollution and public health impacts.

5 Hidden Ways the Government Rigs the Market in Favor of Fossil Fuels Report
Pumpjacks lift oil from wells at an oil field near Taft, California, on October 17, 2025.

5 Hidden Ways the Government Rigs the Market in Favor of Fossil Fuels

While renewables have received scrutiny from the Trump administration and congressional Republicans over subsidies, the administration’s narrative hides how fossil fuel industries reap the benefits of a distorted market that has made Americans pay more for polluting fossil energy for decades.

CAP Submits Comment Opposing Proposed Elimination of Significant Disproportionality Reporting Under IDEA Article

CAP Submits Comment Opposing Proposed Elimination of Significant Disproportionality Reporting Under IDEA

The Center for American Progress submitted a public comment to the U.S. Department of Education opposing its proposed revision to remove the requirement that states report data related to significant disproportionality under IDEA Part B.

Casey Doherty

Gun Violence in Rural America Is the Forgotten Public Health Epidemic Report
Silhouetted student in classroom beneath American flag

Gun Violence in Rural America Is the Forgotten Public Health Epidemic

Rural American communities are facing a growing crisis involving gun homicides and suicides that has long been ignored as narratives around gun violence have disproportionately and unjustly focused on urban communities.

Chandler Hall

Expert Panel Upcoming Session

Expert Panel

A conversation will take place between respected journalists and First Amendment experts, moderated by NPR’s Jenn White.

Opening remarks Upcoming Session

Opening remarks

Brief remarks will be provided by CAP’s Senior Vice President of Structural Reform and Governance Ben Olinsky.

Declining Global Demand for Oil and Gas Benefits Americans, and U.S. Policy Can Accelerate It Report
An oil pumpjack is seen near a field of wind turbines.

Declining Global Demand for Oil and Gas Benefits Americans, and U.S. Policy Can Accelerate It

Through strategic policy tools including trade, security, and foreign development assistance, the United States can accelerate the peak in global oil and gas demand—resulting in cost savings, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and less reliance on volatile energy markets for Americans.

Courtney Federico

Toolkit: Ensuring State Implementation of HHS’ Updated Section 504 Rule Report
A sign reading

Toolkit: Ensuring State Implementation of HHS’ Updated Section 504 Rule

This toolkit provides background on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ final rule on “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.” It also provides guidance for advocates on outreach to state attorneys general and officials, reminding them of compliance dates related to the rule.

Overturning D.C.’s Tax Law Would Infringe on Common State Tax Practices and Threaten the District’s Budget and Fiscal Autonomy Article
Traffic moves along Pennsylvania Avenue as the sun rises behind the U.S. Capitol.

Overturning D.C.’s Tax Law Would Infringe on Common State Tax Practices and Threaten the District’s Budget and Fiscal Autonomy

Overruling the D.C. Council’s tax law flouts a common approach to the tax code, depriving the jurisdiction of revenue, raising child poverty, and throwing the tax-filing system into disarray in the middle of tax season.

Lily Roberts, Corey Husak

CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Progress Toward Improving Child Care Assistance for Low-Income Families Article

CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Progress Toward Improving Child Care Assistance for Low-Income Families

The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter to the Department of Health and Human Services opposing the agency's efforts to roll back progress toward paying child care providers more fairly and lowering costs for families.

Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks

Reining in DHS and Restoring Accountability Past Event

Reining in DHS and Restoring Accountability

Join a virtual discussion with the authors of five commonsense reforms to rein in DHS.

Load More

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Default Opt Ins

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Variable Opt Ins

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.