Family Economic Security

Child care and early education are part of the country’s infrastructure and an economic investment. When Congress neglects to robustly fund child care and early education, it negatively affects parents’ workforce participation, families’ economic security, and U.S. economic prosperity. The Early Childhood Policy team believes in policymakers’ responsibility to establish comprehensive solutions that invest in all families.

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New Trump Administration Policies Will Decrease Average Incomes for All Americans Except the Top 1 Percent Article
U.S. President Donald Trump greets guests on the South Lawn of the White House

New Trump Administration Policies Will Decrease Average Incomes for All Americans Except the Top 1 Percent

New policies in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, paired with the Trump administration’s tariffs, will leave the bottom 99 percent of Americans with less after-tax-and-transfer income by 2027, while the top 1 percent benefit—per combined scores from nonpartisan analysts.

Corey Husak

Residents in at Least 41 States and Washington, D.C., Are Facing Increased Electric and Natural Gas Bills Article

Residents in at Least 41 States and Washington, D.C., Are Facing Increased Electric and Natural Gas Bills

Energy bill tracker documents rate increases and proposals that would go into effect in 2025 or 2026. The Trump administration’s actions to discourage clean energy projects could send rates even higher.

Fighting for the American Dream Past Event

Fighting for the American Dream

Creating and safeguarding an inclusive economy for the Black middle class.

Edgartown, MA

On Its 60th Anniversary, Medicaid Is Under Attack Article
Demonstrators gather in protest of Medicaid cuts outside of the U.S. Capitol.

On Its 60th Anniversary, Medicaid Is Under Attack

Historic program cuts enacted by congressional Republicans and the Trump administration threaten the health and financial security of millions of Americans.

Andrea Ducas

Fact Sheet: What To Know About the Child Care for Working Families Act Fact Sheet
A parent picks up his kids at a child care center.

Fact Sheet: What To Know About the Child Care for Working Families Act

The Child Care for Working Families Act would make child care more accessible and affordable, promote high-quality care options, and support child care workers.

The Early Childhood Policy Team

With Americans Facing Utility Bill Increases This Year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Threatens To Drive Costs Even Higher Article
A utility lineman works to restore service in Perry, Florida

With Americans Facing Utility Bill Increases This Year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Threatens To Drive Costs Even Higher

Across the country, nearly 60 electric and gas utilities are hiking or trying to hike utility bills this year, totaling nearly $38.3 billion for 56.7 million electric customers and $3.5 billion for 26 million natural gas customers; if the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passes, these bills will spike even higher.

Governors Should Fight for an Economic Agenda To Improve the Lives of Working-Class Residents Report
Workers install solar panels.

Governors Should Fight for an Economic Agenda To Improve the Lives of Working-Class Residents

By advancing policies to build power and raise the wages of working-class families, governors can improve economic opportunity for all state residents and illustrate a strong contrast with the Trump administration, which is abandoning its commitments to working people.

Karla Walter

State Estimates of Increases in Homeowner and Small-Business Borrowing Costs Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Article
The sun sets behind the U.S. Capitol.

State Estimates of Increases in Homeowner and Small-Business Borrowing Costs Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The “big, beautiful bill” passed by House Republicans in reconciliation is expected to significantly increase U.S. government debt, driving up interest rates for borrowers—including families taking out a mortgage or people growing their own businesses.

Natalie Baker, Sara Estep

CAP Testimony Before the House Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs and Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services In the News

CAP Testimony Before the House Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs and Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services

Emily Gee testified before subcommittees of the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee on how the Inflation Reduction Act has lowered health care and energy costs for American families while investing in a future powered by clean energy.

U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee

Emily Gee

Farms and Families in Crisis: The Trump Administration’s Assault on America’s Food System Past Event

Farms and Families in Crisis: The Trump Administration’s Assault on America’s Food System

Please join the Center for American Progress for the next in a series of virtual events highlighting the impact that DOGE’s cuts are having on the lives of everyday Americans. This event will focus on how cuts to food pantries, Farm to School grants, and school lunches, as well as to USDA and FDA food safety oversight, put millions at risk of going hungry.

Online only

Why Trump’s Pronatalist Agenda Is Actually Anti-Motherhood In the News

Why Trump’s Pronatalist Agenda Is Actually Anti-Motherhood

In an op-ed for Ms. Magazine, Sara Estep discusses how President Trump and Vice President Vance’s pronatalist agenda is actually at odds with what mothers and their families need to thrive.

Ms. Magazine

Sara Estep

Breadwinning Women Are a Lifeline for Their Families and the Economy Report
A woman walks with her children, February 24, 2025.

Breadwinning Women Are a Lifeline for Their Families and the Economy

A new Center for American Progress analysis shows that large shares of working women—both mothers and married women without cohabitating children—continue to be breadwinners for their families. Policy must support working women to uplift families and the economy overall.

Kennedy Andara, Sara Estep, Isabela Salas-Betsch

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Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice
Issue

Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice

We pursue climate action that meets the crisis’s urgency, creates good-quality jobs, benefits disadvantaged communities, and restores U.S. credibility on the global stage.

Restoring Social Trust in Democracy
Issue

Restoring Social Trust in Democracy

Democracy is under attack at home and abroad. We must act to ensure it is accessible to all, accountable, and can serve as a force of good.

Building an Economy for All
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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.

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