The Center for American Progress Action Fund

Issues [1] Center for American Progress Action How Trump and His Congressional Allies Drove Up Gas Prices and Cost Families At Least $2,000 Share U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), February 2026. (Getty/Kayla Bartkowski) A recent CNN poll found that 77 percent of Americans believe President Donald Trump’s policies have increased the cost of living in their communities.

The Trump administration’s war with Iran has further upended the false narrative that climate skeptics tout and has handed progressive leaders the most powerful economic argument against reliance on fossil fuels they have had in a generation. When the Trump administration’s strikes on Iran triggered the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply was cut off from global markets overnight.

Issues [1] Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) believes that when most Americans wake up in the morning, they aren’t thinking about politics. Gov. Beshear has led by prioritizing the problems that matter most to Kentuckians: public schools, the roads and bridges they drive on, keeping our communities safe, creating jobs, and making life more affordable. Gov. Beshear argues that, by focusing on what matters most, lawmakers can reclaim the trust of those they govern.

Issues [1] Representatives exit the U.S. Capitol after a house vote on December 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Getty/Heather Diehl) More than 20 million Americans with marketplace coverage are approaching an affordability cliff. The expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits on December 31, 2025, will cause average premium costs to more than double in 2026.

Issues [1] Part of a Series On the final episode of “The Tent,” Colin Seeberger reflects on the history of the podcast and the lessons he’s learned from our guests over the years. Colin and Kelly also discuss what to expect next year and leave us with a final moment of joy. The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone.

Issues [1] Part of a Series Chad Maisel, senior fellow for economic policy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, joins the show to discuss the affordability crisis and a plan to reduce the cost of housing. Chad and Colin also discuss competing theories on how to address the cost of living. The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone.

Issues [1] Part of a Series Georgia Democratic Party Chair Charlie Bailey joins the show to talk about what he’s taking away from the 2025 election cycle as Democrats look ahead to 2026. Charlie and Colin also discuss the special election results in Tennessee and how Democrats can connect Trump’s corruption with the economic challenges Americans are facing.

Issues [1] Part of a Series Political strategist Keith Edwards joins the show to talk about how political content creators can thrive in our modern digital media environment. Keith and Colin also discuss the latest Epstein news and how Democrats can balance promoting an affirmative economic agenda while hammering President Donald Trump on his blatant corruption.

The Center for American Progress Action Fund and Upswing Research explain in this memo how Democrats should rise to meet America’s affordability crisis in the months ahead. The lesson voters in New Jersey and Virginia have for national Democrats is to increase its focus on groceries and utility bills heading into 2026.

Issues [1] Part of a Series Will Ragland, vice president of research at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, discusses how President Donald Trump and his family are profiting off the presidency. Will and Colin also break down a new tool that tracks the president’s profits and what can be done to stop him from cashing in on his office.