Career and Technical Education Policy: A Multistate Case Study on Employment Outcomes ReportJuly 13, 2026 Career and Technical Education Policy: A Multistate Case Study on Employment Outcomes There is growing interest in scaling career and technical education, yet barriers to advancement remain. This report offers policy recommendations and case studies from states to expand these opportunities for more students. Jul 13, 2026 Veronica Goodman, Weadé James
The Faster Labor Contracts Act Should Be Just the Starting Point for Labor Law Reform ArticleJuly 7, 2026 The Faster Labor Contracts Act Should Be Just the Starting Point for Labor Law Reform Evidence from Canada shows that the bill could lead to a small increase in private sector union density, but pro-worker policymakers in Congress need to go further to fix the worst flaws in federal labor law. Jul 7, 2026 Aurelia Glass
June Jobs Numbers Are Not the Boost for Workers That Was Expected ArticleJuly 2, 2026 June Jobs Numbers Are Not the Boost for Workers That Was Expected The June 2026 jobs report included strong headline numbers, but working families are still struggling to keep up amid higher inflation. Jul 2, 2026 Kennedy Andara, Aurelia Glass
The NLRB Is Throwing Out Charges Alleging Employers Engaged in Unfair Labor Practices ReportJuly 1, 2026 The NLRB Is Throwing Out Charges Alleging Employers Engaged in Unfair Labor Practices A new CAP analysis shows that, since the beginning of the second Trump administration, the NLRB is increasingly likely to dismiss charges that unions and workers file alleging that employers have committed unfair labor practices. Jul 1, 2026 Aurelia Glass
Bipartisan and Republican-Led Coalitions Advance Fair Contracting Policies on Public Construction Projects ArticleJune 24, 2026 Bipartisan and Republican-Led Coalitions Advance Fair Contracting Policies on Public Construction Projects State and local policymakers across the political spectrum are adopting responsible bidder ordinances, prevailing wage standards, and apprenticeship utilization requirements to raise standards for workers and deliver better results for taxpayers. Jun 24, 2026 Jazmine Amoako, Karla Walter
May’s Headline Jobs Numbers Mask Underlying Labor Market Slack ArticleJune 5, 2026 May’s Headline Jobs Numbers Mask Underlying Labor Market Slack The May 2026 jobs report shows continued job growth and a stable unemployment rate, but there are also signs that labor market weakness—including labor underutilization—is being felt by a growing number of Americans. Jun 5, 2026 Jazmine Amoako, Sara Estep
Unions Build Wealth for All Americans ArticleMay 28, 2026 Unions Build Wealth for All Americans New CAP analysis of the Survey of Income and Program Participation highlights that households with a union member have roughly two times the wealth of households without a union member. May 28, 2026 Jazmine Amoako, David Madland, Christian E. Weller
2026 CAP IDEAS Conference Past EventMay 19, 2026 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. Online via Zoom May 19, 2026
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
How Market-Based Sectoral Pay Standards Raise Wages and Improve Affordability ReportMay 5, 2026 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. May 5, 2026 Karla Walter
The American Franchise Act Would Harm Workers and Small Businesses ArticleApril 29, 2026 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. Apr 29, 2026 Karla Walter
The Trump Administration’s Policies Have Hurt Growth, Jobs, and Prices ArticleApril 15, 2026 The Trump Administration’s Policies Have Hurt Growth, Jobs, and Prices A new macroeconomic simulation suggests that the Trump administration’s agenda has generated slower growth, fewer jobs, and faster inflation. Apr 15, 2026 Jared Bernstein
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.