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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Project 2025 Would Cut Access to Overtime Pay Article
An employee pushes shopping carts out the front doors of a dollar store.

Project 2025 Would Cut Access to Overtime Pay

Project 2025 would make eligibility for overtime—also known as time-and-a-half pay—more confusing for workers to navigate and easier for employers to abuse.

Lily Roberts

The Economic Status of Single Mothers Report
A mother carrying her baby in a baby carrier and holding an umbrella is seen crossing the street.

The Economic Status of Single Mothers

Original Center for American Progress analysis shows that single mothers in the United States face economic insecurity, including high poverty rates and low incomes, that could be alleviated by strengthening the social safety net and advancing policies to support women in the workforce.

Isabela Salas-Betsch

The Minimum Wage Is a Poverty Wage Article
Activists in the restaurant and service industries gather for a Raise the Wage Act rally.

The Minimum Wage Is a Poverty Wage

The federal minimum wage has lost the ability to keep workers out of poverty; but this November, voters in multiple states will have the chance to ensure better wages.

Kyle Ross

Lowering Costs for American Families Past Event

Lowering Costs for American Families

Join CAP for a conversation with Neera Tanden, Domestic Policy Advisor to President Joe Biden.

Testimony Before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability In the News

Testimony Before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

Doug Turner testified before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability about addressing the housing crisis through the conversion of commercial buildings.

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

Doug Turner

2023 Survey of DACA Recipients Highlights Economic Advancement, Continued Uncertainty Amid Legal Limbo Article
A group of people holding signs is seen with the U.S. Capitol building in the background.

2023 Survey of DACA Recipients Highlights Economic Advancement, Continued Uncertainty Amid Legal Limbo

The ninth annual survey of DACA recipients illustrates DACA’s role in empowering individuals and communities while strengthening the U.S. economy and highlights the need for a pathway to citizenship.

Hearing on SEC Overreach: Examining the Need for Reform In the News

Hearing on SEC Overreach: Examining the Need for Reform

Alexandra Thornton testified before the the U.S. House Financial Services Committee Subcommittee on Capital Markets to discuss institutional reforms of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

the U.S. House Financial Services Committee Subcommittee on Capital Markets.

Alexandra Thornton

Playbook for the Advancement of Women in the Economy Report

Playbook for the Advancement of Women in the Economy

This collection of policy recommendations reveals how policymakers can grow the economy by centering the changes that women need in their economic platforms.

Rose Khattar, Sara Estep

5 Reasons Why Careening From Near Shutdown to Near Shutdown Is Bad for America Article
The waning Snow Moon sets behind the U.S. Capitol Dome.

5 Reasons Why Careening From Near Shutdown to Near Shutdown Is Bad for America

While avoiding a federal government shutdown is important, the chaos of constant shutdown threats; uncertainties about funding; and patchwork continuing resolutions are still detrimental for the government’s ability to provide services and the health of American democracy.

States Are Taking Action To Address the Child Care Crisis Article
An empty classroom is pictured at a New Glarus, Wisconsin, child care center.

States Are Taking Action To Address the Child Care Crisis

Federal COVID-19 relief funding for child care stabilization grants ended in September 2023, but a number of states have stepped up this year to address the child care needs of working families.

Anna Lovejoy

3 Ways States Can Improve Child Support Article
Colorado Capitol building

3 Ways States Can Improve Child Support

Decades of problems with distribution, debt, and enforcement have undermined the child support program’s ability to serve low-income families.

Kyle Ross

2023 CAP IDEAS Conference Past Event
CAP IDEAS Conference logo

2023 CAP IDEAS Conference

Join the Center for American Progress as we celebrate 20 years of innovative policy solutions and look boldly forward to a progressive future.

5 Facts From the 2022 Wage Gap Data Article
Photo shows a well-lit open kitchen area with chefs preparing food behind the counter and a server picking up plates

5 Facts From the 2022 Wage Gap Data

New data show that in 2022, women working full time, year-round typically earned 84 cents for every dollar men made, and when comparing among all workers, including those who work part time and for part of the year, women typically made 78 cents.

Isabela Salas-Betsch

Related Priorities

Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice

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

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

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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