Plus: Children separated at the border describe the conditions in their own words.
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The U.S. Capitol is reflected in a puddle on the Pennsylvania Avenue bike lane
A Moment of Possibility
To address the most acute challenges of our time, policy experts must center solutions on difficult, chronic problems. That has never been more evident than right now, as the coronavirus pandemic highlights and deepens the disparities that have long existed in the United States.

The Center for American Progress, with experts across more than 20 subject areas, is uniquely positioned to develop policy solutions to meet this moment—work that speaks to what government must do to capitalize on opportunities for structural change at this inflection point in the nation's history.

For example, with 28 million workers unemployed due to the coronavirus crisis and only about 6 million jobs currently available, it is not enough to simply spend more money on skill-building and enroll more participants in job training programs, as some legislative proposals have called for; any efforts must also focus on improving job quality and addressing problems that disproportionately affect workers of color. A new report out this week from CAP's Economic Policy team gives policymakers a roadmap to do just that, with a proposal for how the public workforce system can drive job quality accountability to create better jobs and reshape 21st century labor markets. Learn more »

Equity and accountability are also on the minds of CAP's K-12 Education experts. The next administration must prioritize and take immediate action to dismantle the structural inequity in the K-12 education system and provide schools with much-needed relief in the pandemic recovery. This issue brief outlines actions for the next administration's first 100 days that will help to provide every child with the opportunity for a quality education—particularly children who have historically been denied that opportunity. Learn more »

CAP's National Security and International Policy team has been eyeing the first 100 days of the next administration as well. Check out their ambitious 100-day plan for foreign policy and national security that outlines how the next administration could begin to reverse many of the damaging policies of the past four years. The report contains nearly 250 actionable policy ideas, legislative initiatives, and speech and travel recommendations that can begin on the next administration's first day in office. Explore the recommendations two ways: Read the full report or use our interactive database.

These are just a few of the policy ideas that can help the country meet this moment of transition and possibility. Visit CAP's Solutions We Need page for more.

In the Spotlight: 'We Need To Take Away Children'
Video: Former Administration Officials Were 'Driving Force' Behind Family Separation Policy
Under the current administration, children were taken away from their parents and detained at the U.S.-Mexico border in cages without soap, blankets, or even toothbrushes.

The administration's zero tolerance policy ultimately separated more than 5,000 children—including babies and toddlers—from their parents at the border.

A recent New York Times article found that former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rod. J. Rosenstein, were the "driving force" behind this family separation policy. Sessions was quoted as saying, "We need to take away children."

Watch and share this powerful video if you agree that it's time to protect children and put an end to inhumane immigration policies.

Related reading:
Major Stories This Week

A nurse sits in a bus after her shift at a hospital on April 14, 2020, in New York City
A Barrett Confirmation Would Be Disastrous for Communities of Color
A single decision from a Supreme Court stacked with President Trump's nominees could spell the end of affordable, accessible health care for tens of millions of Americans. People of color should be especially concerned about that, especially in the wake of COVID-19.

A newly adopted son smiles at his two adoptive parents as they get married in Washington, D.C.
The Supreme Court Could Issue a License To Discriminate
Catholic Social Services (CSS) sued the city of Philadelphia for ending its contract with CSS agencies because the organization would not allow same-sex couples to be foster parents. Should the Supreme Court side with CSS, it would be a vital blow to LGBTQ people seeking government services.

A voter walks to fill in her ballot at a polling station in New York
Why Voting Matters for the Disability Community
The diversity of the disability community, and the potential increase of people experiencing chronic illness due to COVID-19, make disabled people a vital yet often overlooked voting bloc. Voting is one way that they can use their experiences to help influence the policy decisions made within their communities and their country—and their experiences are sorely needed.

A woman wearing a mask walks past outdoor restaurant seating during the coronavirus pandemic in New York City
Women Are on the Brink as Job Recovery Stalls
Working women are at the intersection of the two largest economic shocks of 2020. They are overrepresented in the occupations that have suffered the most job losses—especially women of color—and shoulder disproportionate care responsibilities away from work. U.S. policy failures in 2020 risk a lost generation of women's careers.

Erica Jensen, with her daughter at her side, videoconferences her doctor in Wilmington, Massachusetts
Telemental Health and the Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has triggered an unprecedented surge in the use of telemental health services. Lawmakers must act swiftly to redress inequities in access and coverage while bolstering patient data privacy protections.

Election workers set up voting booths
America's Electoral Future
What would election results look like in the future if the only thing that changed was the relative size of different demographic groups by race, age, education, gender, and generation?

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Protecting College Students: The Importance of Accountability During COVID-19

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