Updating SSI Would Improve the Economic Resilience of Low-Income Women ReportMar 7, 2024 Updating SSI Would Improve the Economic Resilience of Low-Income Women New analysis from the Center for American Progress shows that households relying on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) face higher financial risks than non-SSI households with similar incomes. Mar 7, 2024 Beth Almeida, Isabela Salas-Betsch, Christian E. Weller
Poverty Rose in 2022, But Policy Solutions Can Create a More Equitable Economy ArticleSep 12, 2023 Poverty Rose in 2022, But Policy Solutions Can Create a More Equitable Economy To continue growing the middle class, Congress and the Biden administration should learn from what worked in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated recession that led to extraordinarily low poverty rates. Sep 12, 2023 Kyle Ross
Raising the Minimum Wage Would Be an Investment in Growing the Middle Class ArticleJul 20, 2023 Raising the Minimum Wage Would Be an Investment in Growing the Middle Class A $15 minimum wage could benefit nearly 40 million workers and provide some of the lowest-wage workers with an average annual wage boost of about $6,000. Jul 20, 2023 Rose Khattar, Sara Estep, Lily Roberts
Congress Must Include SNAP Employment and Training Improvements in the 2023 Farm Bill ArticleJul 17, 2023 Congress Must Include SNAP Employment and Training Improvements in the 2023 Farm Bill The E&T program currently disincentivizes the participation of SNAP recipients by cutting their benefits if they find well-paying work. Jul 17, 2023 Kyle Ross
McGovern-Dole Program Alleviates Hunger, Protects Democracy, and Bolsters U.S. Trade ArticleJul 11, 2023 McGovern-Dole Program Alleviates Hunger, Protects Democracy, and Bolsters U.S. Trade Every McGovern-Dole dollar spent on food is a down payment on thriving democracies and trade. Jul 11, 2023 Sarnata Reynolds
Policymakers Must Understand How Education, Health Care, and Economic Security Shape Early Child Development ArticleJun 29, 2023 Policymakers Must Understand How Education, Health Care, and Economic Security Shape Early Child Development Policymaking that considers the unique developmental needs of young children, as well as their lived experiences and that of their families, can set the foundation for health and well-being throughout life. Jun 29, 2023 Hailey Gibbs, Allie Schneider
Work Requirements Are Expensive for the Government To Administer and Don’t Lead To More Employment ArticleApr 25, 2023 Work Requirements Are Expensive for the Government To Administer and Don’t Lead To More Employment The creation of additional bureaucracy to take basic supports away from Americans would be costly to the federal government and ineffective in promoting employment. Apr 25, 2023 Lily Roberts
How States Can Build Bridges by Smoothing Medicaid-to-Marketplace Coverage Transitions ReportFeb 14, 2023 How States Can Build Bridges by Smoothing Medicaid-to-Marketplace Coverage Transitions To minimize the disruption of health insurance churn, particularly for low-income people, state policymakers should take action to ease enrollment transitions between Medicaid and marketplace coverage. Feb 14, 2023 Natasha Murphy, Sarah Millender
The Latest Poverty, Income, and Food Insecurity Data Reveal Continuing Racial Disparities ArticleDec 21, 2022 The Latest Poverty, Income, and Food Insecurity Data Reveal Continuing Racial Disparities Federal policies implemented in 2021 led to notable progress in the fight against poverty, but data show that persistent economic disparities, by both gender and race and ethnicity, will only be closed through continued attention and investments. Dec 21, 2022 Kyle Ross, Justin Dorazio
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Can Support Racial Equity in Homeownership and Environmental Justice Efforts ReportDec 8, 2022 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Can Support Racial Equity in Homeownership and Environmental Justice Efforts The government-sponsored enterprises are in a unique position to reduce the racial homeownership gap while simultaneously addressing climate change-related risks and systemic environmental racism. Dec 8, 2022 Michela Zonta
Administrative Burdens: How the Social Safety Net Is Failing Disabled People VideoDec 5, 2022 Administrative Burdens: How the Social Safety Net Is Failing Disabled People Disabled Americans describe their, often dehumanizing, experiences trying to overcome unnecessary barriers to access vital assistance from the government. Dec 5, 2022 Justin Schweitzer, Emily DiMatteo, Nick Buffie, 4 More Mia Ives-Rublee, Ala Al Sadi, Hai-Lam Phan, Toni Pandolfo
How Dehumanizing Administrative Burdens Harm Disabled People ReportDec 5, 2022 How Dehumanizing Administrative Burdens Harm Disabled People Unnecessary barriers make accessing basic supports extremely difficult for disabled people across the country. Dec 5, 2022 Justin Schweitzer, Emily DiMatteo, Nick Buffie, 1 More Mia Ives-Rublee
The Resilient Labor Market Can Still Make a Continued Recovery ArticleOct 31, 2022 The Resilient Labor Market Can Still Make a Continued Recovery The Federal Reserve must be careful not to kill the strong job market. Oct 31, 2022 Rose Khattar, Justin Schweitzer, Kyle Ross
Keeping Americans with disabilities from poverty must remain a priority In the NewsOct 27, 2022 Keeping Americans with disabilities from poverty must remain a priority Mia Ives-Rublee discusses how the Supplemental Security Income program helped her overcome the structural barriers to employment and economic security that millions of disabled people experience and urges lawmakers to strengthen the program. Oct 27, 2022 The Hill Mia Ives-Rublee
Localized Anti-Displacement Policies ReportSep 26, 2022 Localized Anti-Displacement Policies As more investments enter disadvantaged communities, it is crucial that local policies stabilize current residents, ensure they benefit from expanded opportunity, and protect them from displacement. Sep 26, 2022 Justin Dorazio
Data on Poverty in the United States Data on Poverty in the United States The Center for American Progress’ new poverty data project contains U.S. Census Bureau data on the national, state, and congressional district levels, all in one place. Below, users can explore data on poverty and more than a dozen other topics that measure the health of the economy, as well as identify potential solutions to the problems these data reveal. Sep 19, 2022
Expanding the Safety Net During a Recession Prevents Worsening Economic Pain ReportSep 19, 2022 Expanding the Safety Net During a Recession Prevents Worsening Economic Pain New U.S. Census Bureau data show how more accessible and larger boosts to safety net programs kept poverty low during the COVID-19 recession, preventing a deeper economic crisis and spurring a faster economy recovery. Sep 19, 2022 Rose Khattar, Justin Schweitzer, Kyle Ross
The United States Can End Hunger and Food Insecurity for Millions of People ReportAug 11, 2022 The United States Can End Hunger and Food Insecurity for Millions of People Policymakers must reimagine the United States’ long-term approach to food production and distribution to build an equitable and sustainable system that works for all. Aug 11, 2022 Arohi Pathak, Ryan Richards, Marc Jarsulic
The United States Must Deliver on Equitable Housing Outcomes for All ArticleJul 7, 2022 The United States Must Deliver on Equitable Housing Outcomes for All Federal investments kept millions of Americans in their homes during the pandemic; in the long term, commitment to bold federal housing policy can eliminate housing insecurity for millions while uplifting historically disadvantaged communities. Jul 7, 2022 Ashfaq Khan
It’s Long Past Time To Increase the Federal Minimum Wage ArticleJul 7, 2022 It’s Long Past Time To Increase the Federal Minimum Wage This month marks 13 years since the federal minimum wage was increased. The lack of an increase during this period has disproportionately harmed women and people of color. Jul 7, 2022 Ashfaq Khan, Rose Khattar
The National Baby Formula Shortage and the Inequitable U.S. Food System ReportJun 17, 2022 The National Baby Formula Shortage and the Inequitable U.S. Food System It is past time for policymakers to develop a long-term vision that addresses the infant formula crisis and focuses on building a more responsive, resilient food system and safety net for all. Jun 17, 2022 Arohi Pathak, Marc Jarsulic, Osub Ahmed, 3 More Jill Rosenthal, Caroline Medina, Emily DiMatteo
Learning from the United States’ Painful History of Child Support ArticleJun 17, 2022 Learning from the United States’ Painful History of Child Support This Father’s Day, federal and state governments must consider the history of child support and how it can better serve poor, Black families. Jun 17, 2022 Kyle Ross
The Federal Reserve Must Be Careful Not To Jeopardize the Strong Economic Recovery ReportJun 13, 2022 The Federal Reserve Must Be Careful Not To Jeopardize the Strong Economic Recovery If the U.S. Federal Reserve acts too aggressively, it could risk a recession and threaten the economy’s strength and the labor market’s momentum. Jun 13, 2022 Christian E. Weller, Rose Khattar
Urgent Congressional Action Is Needed To Stave Off Hunger for Millions of Students ArticleJun 6, 2022 Urgent Congressional Action Is Needed To Stave Off Hunger for Millions of Students Congress must pass the Support Kids Not Red Tape Act to support continued access to school meals. Jun 6, 2022 Anona Neal
How To Address the Administrative Burdens of Accessing the Safety Net ReportMay 5, 2022 How To Address the Administrative Burdens of Accessing the Safety Net Easing burdens on eligible people participating in government programs can reduce poverty and inequity. May 5, 2022 Justin Schweitzer
Fighting Hunger: How Congress Should Combat Food Insecurity Among Low-Income Americans ReportApr 7, 2022 Fighting Hunger: How Congress Should Combat Food Insecurity Among Low-Income Americans With food insecurity worsening due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting economic recession, and, more recently, supply chain issues and inflation, congressional action is necessary to ease hardship for millions. Apr 7, 2022 Arohi Pathak, Rose Khattar
TANF Must Be Able To Respond Faster and Stronger to Economic Crises ReportApr 5, 2022 TANF Must Be Able To Respond Faster and Stronger to Economic Crises By reforming Temporary Assistance for Needy Families as a strong automatic stabilizer, policymakers can keep millions of Americans out of poverty and counteract recessionary pressures. Apr 5, 2022 Justin Schweitzer
Occupational Segregation in America ReportMar 29, 2022 Occupational Segregation in America Occupational segregation in the American labor market reflects and drives inequalities in American society. Mar 29, 2022 Marina Zhavoronkova, Rose Khattar, Mathew Brady
The ARP Grew the Economy, Reduced Poverty, and Eased Financial Hardship for Millions ReportMar 14, 2022 The ARP Grew the Economy, Reduced Poverty, and Eased Financial Hardship for Millions Data show that in just one year, the 2021 American Rescue Plan eased hardship for millions of Americans and demonstrated the need for further federal investment to build a long-term, equitable economy that works for all. Mar 14, 2022 Kyle Ross, Arohi Pathak, Seth Hanlon, 6 More Mia Ives-Rublee, Justin Schweitzer, Michela Zonta, Natasha Murphy, Osub Ahmed, Marina Zhavoronkova
Expanded Child Tax Credits Have Been a Lifeline for Many ArticleFeb 23, 2022 Expanded Child Tax Credits Have Been a Lifeline for Many Expanded child tax credit payments have provided much-needed financial support to a wide range of families across income level, race/ethnicity, and education. Feb 23, 2022 Christian E. Weller
2021 Was a Year of Bold Economic Policy That Must Be Extended ReportJan 19, 2022 2021 Was a Year of Bold Economic Policy That Must Be Extended A plethora of temporary programs helped low-income Americans weather the pandemic in 2021, and extending them would be a meaningful step toward building an economy that works for all. Jan 19, 2022 Kyle Ross
Alleviating Food Insecurity in the Disabled Community ReportDec 21, 2021 Alleviating Food Insecurity in the Disabled Community As food insecurity worsened for the disability community during the pandemic, several disability organizations developed innovative solutions that could provide a road map toward better equity around food access. Dec 21, 2021 Mia Ives-Rublee, Christine Sloane
The Senate Must Act Now and Pass the Build Back Better Act Before the Expanded Child Tax Credit Expires ArticleDec 14, 2021 The Senate Must Act Now and Pass the Build Back Better Act Before the Expanded Child Tax Credit Expires If the Senate fails to pass the Build Back Better Act by the end of the year, the expanded Child Tax Credit will expire and millions of families will be pushed back into poverty. Dec 14, 2021 David Ballard, Arohi Pathak
It’s a Good Jobs Shortage: The Real Reason So Many Workers Are Quitting ArticleDec 7, 2021 It’s a Good Jobs Shortage: The Real Reason So Many Workers Are Quitting The tight labor market has given workers more power to demand improvements in job quality; it's time for employers and policymakers to listen. Dec 7, 2021 Justin Schweitzer, Rose Khattar
The American Rescue Plan Can Help States and Localities Meet Employment Goals and Invest in Workers ReportNov 22, 2021 The American Rescue Plan Can Help States and Localities Meet Employment Goals and Invest in Workers American Rescue Plan funding allows state and local governments to invest in employment solutions for their residents, including skills training, career pathways in educational settings, child care, and other basic needs. Nov 22, 2021 Marina Zhavoronkova, Arohi Pathak
Massive Safety Net Loopholes Hurt Poor Puerto Rican Residents ArticleNov 12, 2021 Massive Safety Net Loopholes Hurt Poor Puerto Rican Residents The federal safety net excludes Puerto Rican residents from normal benefits. The Build Back Better Act would change that in a major way Nov 12, 2021 Nick Buffie
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.
Strengthening Health Strengthening Health We work to strengthen public health systems and improve health care coverage, access, and affordability.
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.
Advancing Racial Equity and Justice Advancing Racial Equity and Justice We apply a racial equity lens in developing and advancing policies that aim to root out entrenched systemic racism to ensure everyone has an opportunity to thrive.