Center for American Progress

Donate

Government Reform

Americans’ trust in government—and their faith in democracy overall—remain at very low levels. In part, this lack of confidence results from the unavoidable fact that many government institutions are unable to effectively respond to people’s needs and priorities. For example, Congress often deadlocks when considering popular policies; the Electoral College sometimes produces presidential election results at odds with the popular vote; federal campaign finance laws often favor the wealthy, special interests, and corporations over voters; many states have passed laws aimed at suppressing voters of color and subverting election results; and the U.S. Supreme Court has stripped people of some fundamental rights. People inevitably lose trust in government when the system seems prone to corruption and stacked against them or when elected leaders fail to enact and defend policies designed to help people achieve the American dream.

To meet these challenges, the Center for American Progress is focused on progressive, commonsense policies to modernize government for 21st century realities and build a democracy that fully represents all Americans. CAP’s government reform work takes place at the local, state, and federal levels, and wherever possible, with stakeholders across the ideological spectrum. We advance policies that will, among other things, set national baseline standards to help ensure free and fair elections and the drawing of nonpartisan congressional districts; reduce the influence of corporate money and secret spending that warp elections; meaningfully reform the Supreme Court; update U.S. Senate rules to make it harder for the minority political party to stop progress on popular legislation; and ensure that elected officials do their jobs in transparent and ethical ways.

A group of voters is seen filling out their ballots in voting booths at a polling place.
Voters cast their ballots in Los Angeles on June 5, 2018. (Getty/Mario Tama)

Featured Experts

More Experts

Latest

Compact View

  • Filter by
  • Type
    • Type
    Show Results
  • Date
    • Date
    • Date

    • to

    Custom range Fixed range
  • Topic
    • Topic
    Show Results
  • State
    • State
    Show Results
  • Toggle Search

  • 216 Results

Clear filters

What To Read Before Donald Trump’s 2025 Address to Congress Article
An illuminated U.S. Capitol dome with a gray sky in the background.

What To Read Before Donald Trump’s 2025 Address to Congress

The Trump administration’s implementation of the harmful Project 2025 agenda, the unconstitutional dismantling of critical federal agencies, and a forthcoming budget reconciliation battle will serve as key messaging pillars in the president’s address to Congress on March 4.

Caroline Alt, Ben Verdi

Load More

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.

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.