Women Workers Are a Lifeline for the Economy ArticleMay 8, 2026 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. May 8, 2026 Sara Estep, Kennedy Andara
Democrats are split on healthcare. But voters need immediate relief In the NewsMay 6, 2026 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. May 6, 2026 MS NOW Neera Tanden, Topher Spiro
America’s Licensed Child Care Deserts ReportApril 29, 2026 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. Apr 29, 2026 Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks
Executive Summary: America’s Licensed Child Care Deserts Fact SheetApril 29, 2026 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. Apr 29, 2026 Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks
State-by-State Increases in Gas Prices Since Trump’s War on Iran ArticleApril 23, 2026 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. Apr 23, 2026 Emily Gee
Trump and Congressional Republicans’ Plan To Pump More Money Into ICE and Border Patrol Is a Missed Opportunity To Help Americans ArticleApril 21, 2026 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. Apr 21, 2026 Bobby Kogan
Trump’s Budget Request Cuts Programs That Help Ordinary Americans and Sinks That Money Toward War ArticleApril 7, 2026 Trump’s Budget Request Cuts Programs That Help Ordinary Americans and Sinks That Money Toward War What are some of the proposed cuts in the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2027 budget? Apr 7, 2026 Bobby Kogan
SNAP Cuts Could Lead To 70,000 Avoidable Deaths ArticleMarch 19, 2026 SNAP Cuts Could Lead To 70,000 Avoidable Deaths New state estimates reveal expanded work requirements could result in tens of thousands of avoidable deaths across the country by 2040. Mar 19, 2026 Kyle Ross
One Year After ‘Liberation Day,’ American Workers Are Feeling the Negative Effects of the Trump Administration’s Tariffs ArticleMarch 17, 2026 One Year After ‘Liberation Day,’ American Workers Are Feeling the Negative Effects of the Trump Administration’s Tariffs The Trump administration’s tariff agenda has resulted in blue-collar job losses in nearly every state while failing to boost manufacturing or close the trade deficit in goods. Mar 17, 2026 Ryan Mulholland, Kennedy Andara
Fast Facts About Paid Leave in Virginia ArticleMarch 13, 2026 Fast Facts About Paid Leave in Virginia Virginia will guarantee paid family and medical leave to nearly all workers starting in December 2028. Mar 13, 2026 Molly Weston Williamson
1 Simple Tax Policy To Create Nearly 1 Million New Multifamily Homes ReportMarch 11, 2026 1 Simple Tax Policy To Create Nearly 1 Million New Multifamily Homes Changing tax depreciation for rental apartments and duplexes could create up to 1 million new homes for rent over the next decade. Mar 11, 2026 Thomas Brosy, Corey Husak
The War in Iran Will Raise Fuel Prices and Costs Throughout the Economy ArticleMarch 11, 2026 The War in Iran Will Raise Fuel Prices and Costs Throughout the Economy The war in Iran will cost Americans more at the pump as well as on their utility and grocery bills while continuing to also cost U.S. military service members and civilians their lives. Mar 11, 2026 Trevor Higgins, Akshay Thyagarajan
Contrary to Trump Administration Claims, Americans Won’t Receive an Average $1,000 Extra in Tax Refunds This Year ArticleFebruary 23, 2026 Contrary to Trump Administration Claims, Americans Won’t Receive an Average $1,000 Extra in Tax Refunds This Year The White House and congressional Republicans’ own data show that the average 2025 tax refund will increase by much less than $1,000, with most Americans earning less than $100,000 in income seeing no increase. Feb 23, 2026 Corey Husak
Hoja informativa: Sin sorpresas en el supermercado: Un plan para que los alimentos sean asequibles Hoja informativaFebruary 19, 2026 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. Feb 19, 2026 Jared Bernstein, Michael Negron, Kyle Ross, 3 More Lily Roberts, Emily Gee, Amina Khalique
Stopping Sticker Shock at the Grocery Store: A Plan To Make Food More Affordable ReportFebruary 19, 2026 Stopping Sticker Shock at the Grocery Store: A Plan To Make Food More Affordable CAP’s plan would keep price growth in check while cracking down on anticompetitive behavior in the food industry and helping to prevent future price shocks. Feb 19, 2026 Jared Bernstein, Michael Negron, Kyle Ross, 2 More Lily Roberts, Emily Gee
Executive Summary: Stopping Sticker Shock at the Grocery Store: A Plan To Make Food Affordable Fact SheetFebruary 19, 2026 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. Feb 19, 2026 Jared Bernstein, Michael Negron, Kyle Ross, 3 More Lily Roberts, Emily Gee, Amina Khalique
Working-Class People Struggle To Find Opportunities in Trump’s Economy ArticleFebruary 11, 2026 Working-Class People Struggle To Find Opportunities in Trump’s Economy Today’s jobs report shows that despite January job growth coming in above expectations, blue-collar workers are still experiencing an employment slowdown rarely seen outside of recessions while the working class only captured a fraction of the year’s growth. Feb 11, 2026 Sara Estep, Kennedy Andara
Working-Class Voters Shifted Slightly Toward Democrats in the 2025 Gubernatorial Elections ArticleJanuary 26, 2026 Working-Class Voters Shifted Slightly Toward Democrats in the 2025 Gubernatorial Elections Working-class shifts in the 2025 gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey were led by nonwhite voters and suggest that economic issues can move some voters. Jan 26, 2026 Jazmine Amoako
Cost-of-living concerns will be the major issue of 2026 In the NewsJanuary 23, 2026 Cost-of-living concerns will be the major issue of 2026 Natalie Baker joined a symposium for NOTUS, in which she argues that the rising cost of living will be the defining issue of 2026. Jan 23, 2026 NOTUS Natalie Baker
A Year in Review: How the Trump Administration’s Economic Policies Made Life Less Affordable for Americans ArticleJanuary 20, 2026 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. Jan 20, 2026 Kennedy Andara, Amina Khalique, Natalie Baker, 3 More Sara Estep, Natasha Murphy, Akshay Thyagarajan
Trump’s Attack on Child Care Funding Undermines Early Educators, Shortchanges Children, and Increases Costs for Families ArticleJanuary 12, 2026 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. Jan 12, 2026 Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks
November’s Jobs Report Hints at Labor Market Weakness Ahead ArticleDecember 16, 2025 November’s Jobs Report Hints at Labor Market Weakness Ahead November’s jobs report, released today, showed signs of weakness—particularly among groups that often foreshadow broader labor-market cooling, such as workers of color and older workers. Dec 16, 2025 Sara Estep, Christian E. Weller
The Trump Administration’s Tariffs Are a Hidden Holiday Tax ArticleDecember 10, 2025 The Trump Administration’s Tariffs Are a Hidden Holiday Tax President Trump’s tariffs are adding to inflation and holding back families this holiday season. Dec 10, 2025 Jazmine Amoako
7 Ways the Big Beautiful Bill Cuts Taxes for the Rich ArticleNovember 20, 2025 7 Ways the Big Beautiful Bill Cuts Taxes for the Rich Overall, the Big Beautiful Bill will harm poor Americans and raise the incomes of rich Americans—driving gains for the rich through cuts to marginal tax rates and the estate tax, along with tax breaks for businesses, business owners, and investors. Nov 20, 2025 Corey Husak
Trump Wants to Talk ‘Affordability,’ But Is Stuck in a Gilded White House Bubble In the NewsNovember 19, 2025 Trump Wants to Talk ‘Affordability,’ But Is Stuck in a Gilded White House Bubble In an op-ed published by Talking Points Memo, Neera Tanden and Lisa Gilbert describe how President Trump’s antidemocratic flaunting of the rule of law is making life more expensive for the American middle class. Nov 19, 2025 Talking Points Memo Lisa Gilbert, Neera Tanden
5 Ways the Trump Administration Is Forcing Families To Go Hungry ArticleOctober 30, 2025 5 Ways the Trump Administration Is Forcing Families To Go Hungry After taking food away from hungry Americans all year, the Trump administration is using the government shutdown to illegally withhold SNAP benefits, letting 42 million Americans go hungry in November. Oct 30, 2025 Ryan Koronowski, Kyle Ross
The Job Market Slowdown Continues ArticleOctober 10, 2025 The Job Market Slowdown Continues The labor market likely continued to slow in September. Oct 10, 2025 Christian E. Weller
Shoppers of Affordable Care Act Coverage Are Already Being Hit With Sticker Shock ArticleOctober 9, 2025 Shoppers of Affordable Care Act Coverage Are Already Being Hit With Sticker Shock Marketplace window shopping reveals steep 2026 premium hikes as Congress stalls on extending enhanced ACA subsidies. Oct 9, 2025 Natasha Murphy, Neda Ashtari
The Next Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Must Restore Trust in the Agency While Managing Fiscal Constraints ArticleOctober 7, 2025 The Next Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Must Restore Trust in the Agency While Managing Fiscal Constraints The next BLS commissioner will have the power to fill an unusually high number of vacancies at a time when the agency’s funding struggles could reduce data quality. Oct 7, 2025 Sara Estep, Kyle Ross
New Trump Administration Policies Will Decrease Average Incomes for All Americans Except the Top 1 Percent ArticleSeptember 10, 2025 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. Sep 10, 2025 Corey Husak
Poverty in America Remained Flat in 2024 But Will Likely Rise as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Goes Into Effect ArticleSeptember 9, 2025 Poverty in America Remained Flat in 2024 But Will Likely Rise as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Goes Into Effect New census data show how poverty in America looked before the Trump administration’s megabill made historic cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Sep 9, 2025 Kyle Ross, Kennedy Andara
Residents in at Least 41 States and Washington, D.C., Are Facing Increased Electric and Natural Gas Bills ArticleSeptember 9, 2025 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. Sep 9, 2025 Akshay Thyagarajan, Jamie Friedman, Shannon Baker-Branstetter, 1 More Lucero Marquez
8 Ways Trump’s Turbulence Tax Is Costing the Economy ReportSeptember 3, 2025 8 Ways Trump’s Turbulence Tax Is Costing the Economy President Trump’s erratic tariffs and other policies are already affecting consumers’ cost of living and costing businesses real money. Sep 3, 2025 Michael Negron, Mimla Wardak
Trump’s Tariff Policies Are Putting a Strain on Back-to-School Budgets ArticleAugust 19, 2025 Trump’s Tariff Policies Are Putting a Strain on Back-to-School Budgets Parents are expecting to spend up to $900 on back-to-school basics. Aug 19, 2025 Kennedy Andara, Mimla Wardak
Fighting for the American Dream Past EventAugust 18, 2025 Fighting for the American Dream Creating and safeguarding an inclusive economy for the Black middle class. Edgartown, MA Aug 18, 2025
CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Affecting Head Start Eligibility Criteria ArticleAugust 14, 2025 CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Affecting Head Start Eligibility Criteria The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter to the Health and Human Services Department opposing the agency’s unprecedented notice requiring Head Start programs to verify citizenship status in order for families to qualify for services. Aug 14, 2025 Hailey Gibbs, Rosa Barrientos-Ferrer
House Spending Plans Would Increase Pollution, Harming Americans’ Health and Raising Energy Costs ArticleAugust 12, 2025 House Spending Plans Would Increase Pollution, Harming Americans’ Health and Raising Energy Costs The House appropriations proposal for FY 2026 would make deep cuts to programs that fight air pollution and climate change, putting Americans’ health at risk and driving up their energy costs. Aug 12, 2025 Jamie Friedman
Counterpoint: America Needs Affordable Energy; Coal Doesn’t Fit the Bill In the NewsAugust 7, 2025 Counterpoint: America Needs Affordable Energy; Coal Doesn’t Fit the Bill In an op-ed published by Inside Sources, Jenny Rowland-Shea explains that President Trump's efforts to revive the dying coal industry will cost the United States time and money we cannot afford to waste. Aug 7, 2025 Inside Sources Jenny Rowland-Shea
‘We Are the Resources’: Head Start Is a Crucial Early Learning and Community Program for Families Nationwide VideoAugust 5, 2025 ‘We Are the Resources’: Head Start Is a Crucial Early Learning and Community Program for Families Nationwide Despite repeated attacks on the program, Head Start has a 60-year track record of providing high-quality services that prepare young children for school and set families up for success. Aug 5, 2025 Hailey Gibbs, Olivia Mowry, Toni Pandolfo
Despite ‘No Tax on Tips,’ Trump’s Big ‘Beautiful’ Bill Is Bad for Tipped Workers ArticleJuly 31, 2025 Despite ‘No Tax on Tips,’ Trump’s Big ‘Beautiful’ Bill Is Bad for Tipped Workers “No tax on tips” is a symbolic tax break that is very limited and poorly targets the workers who need tax relief the most. Many among the small number of workers who will benefit will also face the bill’s cuts to basic needs programs. Jul 31, 2025 Corey Husak
On Its 60th Anniversary, Medicaid Is Under Attack ArticleJuly 30, 2025 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. Jul 30, 2025 Andrea Ducas
Fact Sheet: What To Know About the Child Care for Working Families Act Fact SheetJuly 16, 2025 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. Jul 16, 2025 The Early Childhood Policy Team
The One Big ‘Beautiful’ Bill’s SNAP Cuts Would Strain Food Banks Amid Rising Food Insecurity ArticleJune 26, 2025 The One Big ‘Beautiful’ Bill’s SNAP Cuts Would Strain Food Banks Amid Rising Food Insecurity Food banks do not have the capacity to alleviate the spike in hunger that would be created by cuts to SNAP. Jun 26, 2025 Kyle Ross
Debunking Myths About Head Start: How the Program Promotes Opportunity and Strengthens Families, Communities, and Economies ReportJune 24, 2025 Debunking Myths About Head Start: How the Program Promotes Opportunity and Strengthens Families, Communities, and Economies Decades of research illustrate Head Start’s effectiveness and its ability to meet the unique needs of local communities—along with the crucial role it plays in state and local economies. Jun 24, 2025 Hailey Gibbs
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Would Gut Programs That Support Children ArticleJune 20, 2025 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Would Gut Programs That Support Children Proposed cuts to vital food, health, and education programs would threaten families’ budgets and slash supports for children. Jun 20, 2025 Kennedy Andara, Kyle Ross
With Americans Facing Utility Bill Increases This Year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Threatens To Drive Costs Even Higher ArticleJune 13, 2025 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. Jun 13, 2025 Akshay Thyagarajan, Shannon Baker-Branstetter
Governors Should Fight for an Economic Agenda To Improve the Lives of Working-Class Residents ReportJune 10, 2025 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. Jun 10, 2025 Karla Walter
State Estimates of Increases in Homeowner and Small-Business Borrowing Costs Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ArticleJune 3, 2025 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. Jun 3, 2025 Natalie Baker, Sara Estep
Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice IssueNovember 1, 2021 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 IssueNovember 1, 2021 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 IssueNovember 1, 2021 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.