Building an Economy for All

Representative Bresnahan, Protect SNAP for the Future of Our Community

John Kelly, vice president of a food pantry network in Pennsylvania, explains how his organization works to address food insecurity in the community. He argues that proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would harm many families that are already struggling to get by.

Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, Please Don’t Take Food Away From Our Kids

School psychologist Michelle Ritter-Santana shares how important the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid are to the families she serves and calls on her members of Congress to protect these programs from cuts.

How Trump’s Justices Created Devastatingly Long Drives to Abortion Clinics

In an op-ed published in The Hill, Sara Estep discusses how state abortion bans have increased driving times for women seeking reproductive health care.

Harris’s plan for ‘Medicare at Home’ would revolutionize care in America

In an op-ed for The Hill, Mia Ives-Rublee and Molly Weston Williamson discuss former Vice President Kamala Harris' plans to provide home care services through Medicare.

Working-Class Voters, the Economy, and the Democratic Party

Please join the Center for American Progress Action Fund for an event featuring Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and an expert panel on how the economy and economic policy shape the preferences of working-class voters.

Gov. JB Pritzker on the Left’s Path Forward

Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) discusses how Democrats can fight back against the Trump administration.

Neera Tanden on the Fight Ahead for the Center-Left

This week on “The Tent,” CAP Action’s Neera Tanden and Emily Gee join the podcast to discuss the latest issues facing the country.

Trump Is Making America Greater for Billionaires, Not Workers

In an op-ed published by InsideSources, Karla Walter and David Madland break down the real economic impacts that Trump’s recent slew of executive orders could have on everyday Americans.

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.

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.

What State Lawmakers Could Do for Working-Class Americans

In an op-ed published by Governing, Karla Walter and David Madland describe tangible, proven strategies state policymakers can use to strengthen the power of the working class in their communities this year.

How To Evaluate Whether Trump Delivers for the Working Class?

President-elect Donald Trump won among working-class voters in 2024, but he must deliver on his promises to American workers.

8 Ways States Can Build Worker Power

State lawmakers should act to strengthen workers’ power in the economy.

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.

Too Many Airport Service Workers Earn Low Wages and Benefits

New CAP analysis shows many essential airport service workers earn less than $15 per hour. Here’s how policymakers can fix that.

While Other Voters Moved Away From the Democrats, Union Members Shifted Toward Harris in 2024

Although many demographic groups shifted their votes to favor Donald Trump in 2024 compared to 2020, Kamala Harris increased Democratic support among union voters.

Industry Standards Boards Are Delivering Results for Workers, Employers, and Their Communities

State accomplishments demonstrate that boards work best when they have the necessary legal authority and resources.

Donald Trump Cannot Deliver the Change U.S. Trade Policy Needs

In an op-ed published by The National Interest, Ryan Mulholland explains the need for thoughtful and knowledgeable leadership on trade issues—as opposed to that of the Trump administration.

Explaining Young Workers’ Support for Unions

Young workers today feel like they're starting from behind. For them, unions may be the answer to getting ahead.

Opinion: Rural communities deserve an administration that will invest in and fight for us

Mila Besich, the mayor of Superior, Arizona, shares how the Biden-Harris administration’s investments into infrastructure and workforce development are improving opportunities for residents of rural communities such as hers.

Community Navigators Can Increase Access to Unemployment Benefits and New Jobs While Building Worker Power

Evidence from the Maine Peer Workforce Navigator program shows that workers and government can benefit from well-designed community partnerships.

Trump and Vance Are All Talk, No Leadership on Manufacturing and Labor | Opinion

Don Wolford contrasts Donald Trump’s unfulfilled promises to bring back manufacturing jobs with the historic accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration.

4 Lessons on Creating Good Manufacturing Jobs Through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Industrial Investments

The Biden-Harris administration's industrial investments from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act are creating U.S. manufacturing jobs and often result in high-quality union jobs, but policymakers can go further to uphold job quality on projects that receive federal investments.

CFPB Director Rohit Chopra on Fighting for Consumers

This week on “The Tent,” Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Rohit Chopra joins to discuss steps being taken to lower costs for families.

Donald Trump Is Lying About Immigrants and Social Security/Medicare

Contrary to Donald Trump’s claims, an earned path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants strengthens Social Security and Medicare.

How Trump and a Project 2025 Lead Author Are Trying To Undermine Checks and Balances Central to U.S. Governance

Republicans have a plan to let the president unilaterally change certain laws and prevent spending for certain programs that the president doesn’t support.

Randi Weingarten on Labor Day and Threats to Public Education

Randi Weingarten discusses the significance of Labor Day and how Project 2025 and MAGA extremists are threatening U.S. public schools.

Don’t Be Fooled by Trump’s Rhetoric on Trade

In an op-ed published by Newsweek, Ryan Mulholland explains why President Donald Trump’s “tariff-and-tax-cut” approach to economic policy failed.

Former President Trump Proposes an Up to $3,900 Tax Increase for a Typical Family

Trump recently floated raising his tax on all imported goods from 10 percent to as much as 20 percent, costing families thousands of dollars.

Harris’ Plan To Raise the Minimum Wage and Eliminate Tax on Tips Would Benefit Service and Hospitality Workers

Crucially, the vice president’s proposal would provide guardrails to keep the policy aimed at low-paid workers, in contrast to Trump’s plan, which would allow the wealthy to skirt taxes.

From Personnel to Policy: Project 2025 Is President Donald Trump’s Agenda

No matter how many times President Trump says otherwise, Project 2025 is inseparable from his associates and his plan for governance.

CAP Action at the 2024 Democratic National Convention

Since 2020, Union Member Support for Democrats Has Increased

New Center for American Progress Action Fund analysis shows that support for Democrats among union voters grew in 2020 and 2022 after decreasing in 2016 and 2018; whether this trend continues could have major effects on the election in 2024.

Public Officials Should Use Their Bully Pulpit To Support Worker Organizing and Bargaining

Pro-worker policymakers should use public and private rhetoric to support organizing campaigns and ensure government spending creates high-quality union jobs.

4 Ways Unions Make Our Economy and Democracy Stronger

Unions raise wages for workers, reduce inequality, increase voter turnout, and advance middle-class interests; policymakers should make strengthening unions a top priority.

Op-ed: Airport service workers demand better support in the workplace. It’s time we listen

Karla Walter published an op-ed in Crain’s New York Business arguing for why airport service workers under the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey deserve better workplace standards.

Viewpoint: Lansing’s growth momentum spurred by federal, state investments

Mayor Andy Schor (D) of Lansing, Michigan, writes about how federal investments are positively affecting citizens in his community, from the creation of new union jobs to the expansion of infrastructure for clean energy and electric vehicles.

Opinion: Empowering and investing in Pittsburgh’s communities of color helps the entire city

Khamil Bailey, the co-founder and executive director of a nonprofit that empowers Black entrepreneurs, shares how support from state leaders is helping expand access to capital investment for historically underserved communities.

Project 2025 Would Undo the NLRB’s Progress on Protecting Workers’ Right To Organize

Workers are winning a greater percentage of NLRB-overseen union elections than at any point in the past 15 years as Biden administration appointees help protect workers' right to organize—but a conservative policy plan offers a blueprint for eroding the NLRB's ability to protect organizing workers.

Empowering Nevada women begins with investing in opportunities for women

Evelyn Pacheco, founder of Nevada Women in Trades, writes about how government investments can help expand opportunities for women in good-paying, blue-collar career paths.

Comparing Trump’s Haphazard $2,500 Tax Increase to Biden’s Targeted Tariffs

President Joe Biden’s strategic approach to rebuilding the country’s industrial base with targeted tariffs and national investment stands in stark contrast to Trump’s arbitrary, imprecise tariff and tax cut-only approach.

Trump’s $50 Billion Tax Giveaway to the 100 Largest Corporations

Trump’s plan to slash the corporate tax rate would give the largest corporations a tax cut exceeding federal K-12 education spending.

Sectoral Bargaining Can Support High Union Membership

Sectoral bargaining should be part of a broad set of reforms to rebuild unions in the United States.

Investing in infrastructure helps everybody

Cristian Cespedes, a union member from Las Vegas, shares how federal infrastructure investments and regulations help create jobs and drive up wages for both union and nonunion workers alike.

Opinion: Wisconsin’s workforce is experiencing a rebirth that will ensure a brighter future

Bridget Glover, a union worker from Wisconsin, shares how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is creating sustainable career opportunities and opening doors for new workers in the trades.

Unions Give Workers a Voice Over How AI Affects Their Jobs

Collective bargaining is a powerful tool workers can use to ensure artificial intelligence and algorithmic technology improve their jobs instead of make working conditions worse, and workers have won several recent contracts that give them power over how AI will affect their working lives.

A Closer Look at How Unions Change Workers’ Lives for the Better

Aurelia Glass explains in InsideSources why the nation's broken labor laws must be addressed amid the increasing popularity and diversification of workers’ unions in America.

Your view: Why 2024 is such a critical year for Pennsylvania workers

Buddy Maxwell, an organizer for the United Auto Workers union, writes about the importance of holding elected officials accountable for passing policies that support working people.

El arancel de Trump le costaría al hogar estadounidense típico $1,500 dólares cada año

Brendan Duke writes in La Opinión about how former President Donald Trump’s tariff would raise costs for everyday Americans.

The Middle Class Will Pay the Price for Trump’s Tax Cuts for the Wealthy, Including Repealing the Affordable Care Act

Former President Donald Trump has proposed tax cuts of up to $400,000 for the wealthiest households—that middle-class Americans would fund through higher living costs.

Michael Pollan and Melissa Robledo on ‘Food, Inc. 2’

Michael Pollan and Melissa Robledo join the show to discuss their documentary "Food, Inc. 2."

8 Ways the Biden Administration Is Improving the Lives of Service Workers

The Biden administration is raising pay, building power, and improving living standards for service workers across the economy—including fast-food cooks, call center workers, teachers, home care workers, and federal employees.

Trump’s Tariff Would Cost the Typical American Household Roughly $1,500 Each Year

Former President Donald Trump’s proposed tariff would raise prices for consumers and be far less effective at reinvigorating U.S. manufacturing than President Joe Biden’s approach.

It’s time for local policymakers to cement the Biden administration’s workforce gains

Karla Walter writes in Route Fifty about the need for policymakers to build on the Biden administration’s historic federal infrastructure investments, arguing that one of the best ways to cement these workforce gains is for local jurisdictions to strengthen their job quality standards.

Opinion: This federally-funded job training program gave me a fresh start

Phoenix resident Tarji Borders describes how a job training program funded by the CHIPS and Science Act made it possible for her to start building a career in Arizona’s burgeoning semiconductor industry.

Unions Continue To Build Wealth for All Americans

New data show unions increase wealth across education levels and close racial wealth gaps.

Putting People First: Prioritizing Workers in the Economy of the Future

A conversation with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA).

Americans benefitting from Biden’s policies have no idea he’s involved

David Madland explains in why President Joe Biden needs to make clear to voters that his economic policies are creating good union jobs.

Communities That Lost Manufacturing Jobs Are Main Beneficiaries of Biden Administration’s New Industrial Policy

New analysis finds that private investments from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act are being announced in the communities that have been hit hardest by disinvestment in American manufacturing.

UAW’s David Green on Championing Labor

United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 2B Director David Green joins the show to talk about the Trump and Biden administrations' approaches to labor.

Biden’s Belvidere Win Stands in Stark Contrast to Trump’s Broken Promises in Lordstown

Differing outcomes at the auto plants in Lordstown, Ohio, and Belvidere, Illinois, underscore the stark contrast between the approaches of Biden and Trump to the automotive industry and its workers.

Construction of Tennessee EV Battery Facility Highlights Promises and Challenges of Biden Administration Policies

Tennessee’s BlueOval City electric vehicle battery facility shows how public investments can lead to good union jobs, but anecdotal evidence suggests that workers are not connecting these jobs to important economic policies.

Biden te está ayudando ahorrar dinero

Gaby Blanco and Rafael Medina write in La Opinión about the Biden administration's efforts to address junk fees.

Opinion | We own a solar energy business, but we wouldn’t be here without the IRA.

Small-business owner Maria Drews shares how tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act are helping clean energy businesses such as hers to grow, in addition to saving households money as they switch to solar energy.

President Biden Should Veto Anti-Worker Lawmakers’ Attack on Union Rights

The Biden administration is fighting to protect fast food and outsourced workers’ right to come together in unions—and shouldn’t let anti-worker lawmakers undermine these efforts.

Biden Administration’s New Investments in Electric Vehicle and Battery Production Could Benefit Black Americans

New electric vehicle and battery manufacturing jobs supported by the Inflation Reduction Act are located in areas with an above-average share of Black Americans.

Government on Workers’ Side

State and local policymakers can raise standards for workers and the public through prevailing wages, project labor agreements, and several other best practices.

What It Will Take To Increase Union Membership and Collective Bargaining Coverage

Continued worker action and major policy reforms are needed for union membership and collective bargaining to significantly increase.

8 Ways the Biden Administration Has Fought for Working People by Strengthening Unions

At a time when Americans are at their most pro-union, President Joe Biden and his administration are using all the levers of government to support working people and unions.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett on Fighting Extremism and Inspiring Change

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) joins the show to discuss MAGA extremism, attacks on voting and abortion rights, and the progressive movement.

How Labor Unions Help Reduce the Pay Gap for Disabled Workers

Disabled workers are underpaid, but union membership helps ensure they earn the same wages as their nondisabled peers.

Centering the Threats of MAGA Republicans and Other Lessons Learned From Virginia Wins

Op-ed: How a federally-funded apprenticeship changed my life

Joshua Swindells, who dropped out of school as a teenager to care for his elderly parents, explains how a federally funded apprenticeship program allowed him to return to his education and gain valuable work experience in the information technology field. Joshua fears that proposals to cut federal workforce funding could harm young people such as him.

CAP Action’s Brendan Duke on Why We Need To Fund the Government

This week, CAP Action's Brendan Duke joins the show to discuss government funding.

Opinion: At 19, I was homeless. Now at 25, I’m a homeowner with a good-paying union job.

Michigan carpenter Raquell Rivera describes how her career as a union carpenter enabled her to transition out of homelessness and become a homeowner. Raquell explains how proposed cuts to federal workforce development funding could threaten both the preapprenticeship program she attended and similar programs.

Workers Want Unions: How States Have Strengthened Worker Power in 2023

States are taking action to strengthen workers’ ability to unionize and collectively bargain as well as raise job standards.

Point: Strong Prevailing Wage Standards Help Grow the Economy

In an InsideSources op-ed, Karla Walter argues why the Biden administration’s support of prevailing wage standards will help grow the middle class.

Latino Communities Could Disproportionately Benefit From New Semiconductor Investments

New chipmaking investments are located in areas with a greater share of Latinos.

How Bidenomics Is Helping Latinos in America

Laura Rodriguez, Frances Colón, and Emmy Ruiz discuss how the Biden administration’s economic policies are helping Latinos achieve more equitable outcomes at a recent Center for American Progress event.

Rep. Andy Levin on the Labor Movement and MAGA Republican Disarray

Former Rep. Andy Levin, a distinguished senior fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, joins the show to discuss the historic removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House, the policy agenda of the far right, and the labor movement.

I’m a Union Worker in Pennsylvania. I Know Biden’s Got Our Back.

Sherice Workman, a union carpenter who worked on the historic 12-day repair of I-95 in Philadelphia, shares how federal infrastructure investments are creating a boom in union career opportunities within the skilled trades.

CAP Action’s Navin Nayak on the Looming Government Shutdown and MAGA Extremism

Navin Nayak, president and executive director of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, joins the show to discuss this week’s Republican presidential debates and the threat of a government shutdown.

Opinion: President Biden is working to make sure I never have to ration my insulin again

Yamelisa Jimenez Taveras, a Type 1 diabetic, shares how the high cost of insulin left her with little choice but to ration her insulin. She applauds the Biden administration’s efforts to cap the cost of insulin for Medicare recipients and continues to advocate for insulin copay caps for all diabetics.

CAP Action’s Mike Williams on the UAW Strike and the Labor Movement

Mike Williams, senior fellow at CAP Action, talks about the UAW strike and the current labor movement.