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.

A child holds hands with her father and mother, January 12, 2020. (Getty/The Washington Post/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

What We're Doing

Investing in a stronger and more equitable economy

We must continue to invest in research, technology, and innovation in a manner that ensures participation and benefits communities that are too often left behind. Only through such an approach can the United States remain at the cutting edge in an increasingly competitive global market.

Strengthening worker power and economic mobility

We need to increase wages, reduce poverty among working families, increase worker power, and create pathways to economic mobility for all.

Raising the floor for basic living standards

Working toward a stronger and more equitable economy for everyone involves rebuilding, expanding, and strengthening America’s social safety net to make it more comprehensive in eligibility and services as well as more flexible in how it can be accessed and used.

Creating a new social compact with business

A new social compact with business includes a regulatory vision that better aligns investors, companies, and the public interest on critical matters such as climate, workers’ rights, and equality.

By the numbers

134K

An estimated 134,000 families are pushed into poverty each year by child care expenses.

CAP, “Child Care Expenses Push an Estimated 134,000 Families Into Poverty Each Year” (2024).

$3.9K

A 20 percent across-the-board import tax combined with an additional 40 percent tax on Chinese goods would amount to about a $3,900 tax increase for a middle-income family.

CAP Action, “Former President Trump Proposes an Up to $3,900 Tax Increase for a Typical Family” (2024).

10%

An estimated 10 percent wage premium is experienced by union members compared with similar nonunion members.

CAP, “4 Ways Unions Make Our Economy and Democracy Stronger” (2024).

54%

Permanently extending the Trump tax cuts would increase the fiscal gap by 54 percent.

CAP, “Permanently Extending the Trump Tax Cuts Would Increase Upward Pressure on the Debt Ratio by More Than 50 Percent” (2024).

Recent work

Latest

Compact View

Industrial Policy Projects Boosted Harris and Hurt Trump in the 2024 Election, but Not by Much Report

Industrial Policy Projects Boosted Harris and Hurt Trump in the 2024 Election, but Not by Much

A county-by-county analysis finds that additional IIJA, CHIPS and Science Act, and IRA investments were associated with higher vote share for Kamala Harris compared with Joe Biden and a lower vote share in 2024 for Trump compared with 2020—but the differences are slight.

the Center for American Progress

Aurelia Glass, David Madland

These 15 Congressional Districts Would See Large Medicaid Funding Losses Under Republican House Budget Resolution Article
The U.S. Capitol Dome is seen with a tree in front of it on the left.

These 15 Congressional Districts Would See Large Medicaid Funding Losses Under Republican House Budget Resolution

The Republican House budget resolution’s potential $880 billion in Medicaid cuts would cost these congressional districts a total of $34 billion, potentially reducing coverage for nearly 730,000 people.

7 Ways State Lawmakers Can Build Public Sector Union Power Report

7 Ways State Lawmakers Can Build Public Sector Union Power

State lawmakers can adopt new policies to empower workers across the public sector to come together in strong unions, negotiate for fair pay and working conditions, and train the next generation for public service.

the Center for American Progress

Aurelia Glass, Karla Walter

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