The Honorable
Caroline A. Crenshaw

2026 CAP IDEAS Conference

The Center for American Progress’ signature event, now celebrating its 15th year, where CAP convenes the big thinkers and doers on the center-left for a day of not only identifying the problems facing Americans, but also sharing solutions to improve the lives of all Americans.

Lowering the Cost of Living for American Families

As families struggle to make ends meet amid rising costs, the Center for American Progress’ affordability agenda would save a typical family $4,133 per year across housing, health care, utility bills, and groceries.

Hoja informativa: Un plan para hacer la electricidad más asequible en EE. UU.

El plan de CAP ahorraría a los hogares más de $900 en costos de energía durante cuatro años, a la vez que construiría un mejor sistema energético que ahorraría a las familias estadounidenses miles de millones en los años venideros.

The Trump Administration’s Tariffs and Iran War Will Cause Americans To Face Higher Prices This Summer

From travel to cookouts, costs are rising due to the Trump administration’s wide-ranging tariffs and its war of choice with Iran.

CAP Poll Shows How Americans Want Policymakers To Lower Electricity Bills And Provide Immediate Relief

A Plan for American Electricity Affordability

CAP’s plan is a combination of immediate relief and investment to lower electricity system costs and deliver more than $125 billion in residential consumer savings, or around $900 per household, over four years, with billions more in savings thereafter.

Fact Sheet: A Plan for American Electricity Affordability

CAP’s plan would save households more than $900 in energy costs over four years while building a better energy system that saves American families billions in the years to come.

A Plan To Keep Maryland Safe

Gov. Wes Moore will explain how his administration is delivering record crime decreases for Maryland.

The Next Voting Rights Agenda

Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock will discuss the path forward for voting rights post-Callais. Moderated by Symone Sanders Townsend.

AI and the Public Good

Ezra Klein will explore what a new approach to artificial intelligence might look like—one intended to maximize AI’s benefits for the public. Moderated by Chris Hayes.

The Future of American Foreign Policy

Sen. Andy Kim and former Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield will discuss a vision for America’s foreign policy that strengthens America without bullying allies. Moderated by Jen Psaki.

Fighting To Protect Americans’ Freedoms and Rights

Rep. Robert Garcia and Mayor Jacob Frey will discuss what's at stake for civil rights and civil liberties this year, including how mayors and a new Congress might act to check Trump. Moderated by Ari Melber.

Making Life Affordable in New Jersey and Beyond

Gov. Mikie Sherrill is showing the country how states can—and should—use every tool at their disposal to bring down costs for working families, especially utility costs. Moderated by Alicia Menendez.

New Ideas To Lower Costs

Americans are finding it harder to make ends meet as costs creep up on everything from groceries to health care to housing. Reps. Greg Casar, Maxwell Frost, and Lauren Underwood will discuss how the Hill can take action to make life more affordable. Moderated by MS NOW's Catherine Rampell.

National Security Ideas for the Future

Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, will lay out how the conflict in Iran is driving up costs for every American and offer his ideas for the path forward.

Opening Remarks

Virtual Exclusive Programming: Build, Baby, Build

Host Colin Seeberger talks with CAP Senior Fellow Chad Maisel about CAP's plan to ease the housing crisis.

The Next 250 Years for Virginia and America

Gov. Abigail Spanberger will outline her agenda to make life more affordable for Virginians, as well as the state’s unique role in the America250 celebrations. Moderated by Jonathan Capehart.

Virtual Exclusive Programming: Addressing the Cost of Health Care

In the final virtual exclusive segment of the day, host Colin Seeberger is joined by CAP Senior Fellow Topher Spiro as they discuss CAP's plan to lower health care costs for everyday Americans.

A Growth and Opportunity Agenda for Everyone

Sen. Cory Booker will provide remarks ahead of a frank conversation about how economic growth can benefit working families across the country. Moderated by Neera Tanden.

The Path Forward for Universal Child Care

Sen. Elizabeth Warren will lay out an agenda for universal child care.

Fighting Fire With Fire

Gov. Gavin Newsom will lay out ideas on artificial intelligence, discuss the stakes for democracy of our politics today, and consider how to meet the current moment. Moderated by Neera Tanden.

Virtual Exclusive Programming: A Path Forward on Utilities

Host Colin Seeberger talks with CAP Senior Vice President for Energy and Environment Trevor Higgins about CAP's new plan to reign in utility costs.

A Look Ahead at the 120th Congress

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries will lay out what a new majority would do on day one and beyond. Moderated by John Podesta.

Virtual Exclusive Programming: Saving Us From the SAVE Act

Virtual programming host Colin Seeberger is joined by CAP's Director of Democracy Policy Greta Bedekovics, who has been leading the charge against the discriminatory SAVE Act.

Closing Remarks

CAP President and CEO Neera Tanden offers closing remarks.

Defending America’s Elections

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer will discuss election security ahead of the midterms.

Food, Fuel, and Fertilizer: How President Trump’s War in Iran Wreaks Havoc on the African Continent

President Trump’s war of choice has triggered a global energy and fertilizer crisis, disproportionately devastating African countries already strained by debt and climate stress.

The Trump Administration’s War in Iran Is Raising Costs for Rural Communities, Farmers, and Food Production

Rural households are paying, on average, at least $26 per week more at the pump, and an oil-dependent food supply chain means we should expect more expensive grocery prices for months to come.

GOOD NEWS: Hawaii’s bill to undo Citizens United is heading to the governor’s desk

Plus, you can hear from Gov. Gavin Newsom and more at CAP IDEAS

What the Trump Administration Report on Anti-Christian Bias Gets Wrong

This misleading report cherry-picks facts and distorts reality on abortion, LGBTQ+ equality, and vaccines in order to advance a partisan agenda and polarize Americans.

What the Iran War Taught China About Fighting the United States

In an article for the Council on Foreign Relations, Michael Schiffer argues that Iran's approach to its war with the United States is a case study for China.

Proposed Electric Vehicle Fees Would Only Make Life Less Affordable for Americans

Electric vehicles help shield Americans from volatile gas prices and are already cheaper to maintain and operate than gas-powered cars; yet some members of Congress are seeking to make this technology more expensive through the upcoming surface transportation bill.

The American workforce is a matriarchy

In an op-ed for Salon, Sara Estep argues that insufficient access to high-quality, affordable child care is the real career killer for American mothers.

Women Workers Are a Lifeline for the Economy

As Mother’s Day approaches, April jobs data highlight that women have been a bright spot in a volatile labor market, and underneath that trend are working mothers’ labor force participation rates.

How Trump’s $500 Million UAE Crypto Deal Trades U.S. National Security for Family Profit

Days before Trump’s second inauguration, the United Arab Emirates’ “Spy Sheikh” secretly bought 49 percent of the Trump family’s crypto firm. Months later, the administration handed over America’s most sensitive AI chips technology to the United Arab Emirates despite national security concerns. This isn’t just profiteering; it’s a betrayal of U.S. national security.

India’s Elections and Global Implications

Please join the Center for American Progress and Hindus for Human Rights for a panel of democracy and foreign policy experts shedding light on the recent elections, the significance for India's global ambitions, and implications for future U.S.-India relations.

Auto-enrollment in Medicare Advantage isn’t a nudge. It’s a trap

In an op-ed published by Fortune, Brian Keyser sounds the alarm on the dangers of Medicare Advantage auto-enrollment.

Hear from Reps. Greg Casar, Maxwell Frost, and Lauren Underwood at CAP IDEAS

Plus, answering your questions about Hawaii’s plan to undo Citizens United

Democrats are split on healthcare. But voters need immediate relief

In an op-ed published by MS NOW, Neera Tanden and Topher Spiro explain why addressing the cost-of-living crisis head-on is the only way to reengage a voter base that literally cannot afford to wait.

The Supreme Court’s Callais Decisions Undermine the Voting Rights Act and Sow Election Chaos

The Supreme Court is disregarding decades of its own conservative precedent—and the bedrock Purcell principle—in an ongoing quest to undermine voting rights.

Virginia Joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Puts the Finish Line in Sight

Virginia’s newly added 13 electoral votes mean that four more states signing could bring the agreement into force, ensuring that presidents would finally be selected by popular vote and that the promise of “one person, one vote” would be fulfilled.

A multilateral green trade pact?

In a podcast from the Lowy Institute, Ryan Mulholland discusses how governments can go about designing green trade agreements.

How Market-Based Sectoral Pay Standards Raise Wages and Improve Affordability

Policymakers can boost wages, improve affordability, and address public challenges by extending prevailing wage and other pay standards to the private sector.

Strategic Instability: The Trump Administration’s Contradictory Taiwan Signals Court Disaster Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

The administration’s transactional and incoherent posturing on Taiwan recklessly erodes deterrence, producing a strategic instability that invites a catastrophic military miscalculation between the United States and China.

Trump May Have To Pay a Price for Weaponizing the DOJ

Long-standing but long-neglected federal law allows those subjected to politicized prosecutions to recover legal costs.

Panel Discussion

The Center for American Progress' managing director for National Security and International Policy, Allison McManus, will moderate a panel of experts.

CAP Message Testing on Utilities Prices and Data Centers

New polling from the Center for American Progress offers tested policy proposals and guidance to effectively message on addressing the rise in utility prices, and the building and regulation of data centers. 

CAP Message Testing on Housing

New polling from the Center for American Progress offers tested policy proposals and guidance to effectively message on addressing housing costs.

CAP Message Testing on Health Care Policy

New polling from the Center for American Progress offers tested policy proposals and guidance to effectively message on addressing health care costs.

CAP Message Testing on Grocery Prices

New polling from the Center for American Progress offers tested policy proposals and guidance to effectively message on addressing the rise in grocery prices.

Helping Disabled College Students of Color Prepare for Life After Graduation

A new pilot program offers a community-driven model to support disabled students of color as they transition out of college—underscoring the urgent need for federal investment.

Orbán Is Gone, But Europe’s Divisions Remain

Viktor Orbán’s political demise in Hungary is forcing the European Union to confront its internal divisions more directly than it has in years.

Addressing Questions Surrounding Hawaii’s Bold Move To Undo Citizens United

Hawaii is poised to become the first state to use its long-dormant legal authority to drain corporate money from its elections—and the legal questions raised about the move have clean answers.

Preemption of State AI Laws Is Not the Path Forward

Join the Center for American Progress 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.

Hear from Gov. Gavin Newsom, Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and more

America has big problems. We have big IDEAS to solve them

Unilateralism in trade calls for a new approach to build a green future

In an essay published by the International Network of Energy Transition Think Tanks, Ryan Mulholland argues that climate and trade policy should be treated as complementary disciplines.

The American Franchise Act Would Harm Workers and Small Businesses

Federal lawmakers are debating a bill that would let corporate franchisors off the hook when they undermine workers’ rights and leave small franchisees solely liable for labor law violations.

Measuring America’s Licensed Child Care Supply

Analysis conducted in 2025 measuring families’ access to child care programs, a crucial first step to mitigating the child care supply crisis.

Map of America’s Licensed Child Care Deserts

CAP's latest map showing child care deserts in the United States.

America’s Licensed Child Care Deserts

Eight years after our initial report, CAP’s 2026 analyses of U.S. licensed child care supply reveal that just fewer than half of the nation's young children still live in child care deserts.

Executive Summary: America’s Licensed Child Care Deserts

Lawmakers must address the nation’s child care supply crisis; according to CAP’s 2026 analysis, nearly half of young children are in licensed child care deserts, with rural areas facing the worst shortages.

Successful Cellphone Bans Require Partnerships With Families

In an op-ed for Inside Sources, Weadé James writes that parents and caregivers are essential in helping to curb excessive cellphone use in schools.

6 Policies Proved To Increase Union Membership

Evidence shows that more workers join unions when policies support workplace organizing, access, sectoral bargaining, the Ghent system, and dues paying, and provide funding.

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.

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.

State-by-State Increases in Gas Prices Since Trump’s War on Iran

Gasoline prices have risen sharply since before the war, costing drivers across the United States about $38 more per month.

Virginia takes two steps toward fairer elections

The ceasefire was extended, but the global crisis is already here

‘Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid’: A Reel Progress Screening

A Reel Progress screening and exclusive conversation with political strategist James Carville.

Trump’s War of Choice With Iran Threatens a Global Hunger and Health Crisis

President Trump’s war of choice is generating a devastating food and health crisis, made far worse by his administration’s gutting of the global humanitarian system.

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.

Climate Action, Close to Home

Please join the Center for American Progress for an event on local climate action during D.C. Climate Week.