–

2026 CAP IDEAS Conference

Speaker Name

Short speaker biography.

12 pm

Welcome and Introductions

Our VP of Product Marketing, Ingrid Wantuch, kicks off the event with a welcome message.

12 pm

Welcome and Introductions

Our VP of Product Marketing, Ingrid Wantuch, kicks off the event with a welcome message.

12 pm

Welcome and Introductions

Our VP of Product Marketing, Ingrid Wantuch, kicks off the event with a welcome message.

Sep

–

Oct

The Final Countdown!

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Join the online audience for the

2026 CAP IDEAS Conference

Please join the Center for American Progress online on May 19^th for the 2026 CAP IDEAS Conference.

In this critical year for American democracy, the CAP IDEAS conference brings together the broad center-left’s leading thinkers and doers to share their ideas on economic policy, national security, protecting civil liberties, and the future of our democracy.

RSVP

By signing up for this event, you indicate that you agree to abide by CAP's

Terms and Conditions of Attendance.

Event Details

Date

Tuesday

September

–

Wednesday

October

Time

10:00am

EDT

Location

Watch the livestream!

Speakers

Gov. Gavin Newsom

D-CA

Gov. Wes Moore

D-MD

Gov. Mikie Sherrill

D-NJ

Gov. Abigail Spanberger

D-VA

Leader Chuck Schumer

D-NY

Leader Hakeem Jeffries

D-NY

Sen. Elizabeth Warren

D-MA

Sen. Ruben Gallego

D-AZ

Sen. Andy Kim

D-NJ

Sen. Cory Booker

D-NJ

Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock

D-GA

Rep. Robert Garcia

D-CA

Rep. Greg Casar

D-TX

Rep. Maxwell Frost

D-FL

Rep. Lauren Underwood

D-IL

Mayor Jacob Frey

Minneapolis, MN

Ezra Klein

Host, The Ezra Klein Show

Neera Tanden

President and CEO, Center for American Progress

Speaker Name

Short speaker biography.

With moderation by MS NOW journalists:

Jonathan Capehart

Co-host

The Weekend

MS NOW

Chris Hayes

Host

All In with

Chris Hayes

MS NOW

Ari Melber

Host

The Beat with

Ari Melber

MS NOW

Alicia Menendez

Co-host

The Weeknight

MS NOW

Jen Psaki

Host

The Briefing with

Jen Psaki

MS NOW

Catherine Rampell

Co-host

The Weekend: Primetime

MS NOW

Symone Sanders Townsend

Co-host

The Weeknight

MS NOW

Speaker Name

Short speaker biography.

Schedule

Morning

9 a.m.

Video "Big Ideas Start Here!"

9:04 a.m.

Introductory Remarks

Neera Tanden, President and CEO, Center for American Progress

9:09 a.m.

National Security Ideas for the Future

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)

9:22 a.m.

New Ideas to Lower Costs

Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX)

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL)

Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL)

Moderated by Catherine Rampell, Co-host, The Weekend: Primetime, MS NOW

10 a.m.

Making Life Affordable in New Jersey and Beyond

Introduction by Trevor Higgins, Senior Vice President, Energy and Environment, Center for American Progress

Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ)

Moderated by Alicia Menendez, Co-host, The Weeknight, MS NOW

10:25 p.m.

Exclusive Virtual Programming: Saving Us From the SAVE Act

Gréta Bedekovics, Director of Democracy, Center for American Progress

Hosted by Colin Seeberger, Senior Adviser, Center for American Progress

10:40 a.m.

Video: Groundswell

10:43 a.m.

A Look Ahead at the 120th Congress

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)

Moderated by John Podesta, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Center for American Progress

11:05 a.m.

Fighting to Protect Americans’ Freedoms and Rights

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA)

Mayor Jacob Frey, Minneapolis, MN

Moderated by Ari Melber, The Beat with Ari Melber, MS NOW

11:40 a.m.

The Next 250 Years for Virginia and America

Introduction by Carlissia Graham, Counselor; President, Center for American Progress Action Fund

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA)

Moderated by Jonathan Capehart, Co-host, The Weekend, MS NOW

afternoon

12:05 p.m.

Exclusive Virtual Programming: A Path Forward on Utilities

Trevor Higgins, Senior Vice President, Energy and Environment, Center for American Progress

Hosted by Colin Seeberger, Senior Adviser, Center for American Progress

12:22 a.m.

Exclusive Virtual Programming: Build, Baby, Build

Chad Maisel, Senior Fellow, Economic Policy, Center for American Progress

Hosted by Colin Seeberger, Senior Adviser, Center for American Progress

12:35 p.m.

Fighting Fire with Fire

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA)

Moderated by Neera Tanden, President and CEO, Center for American Progress

1:14 p.m.

The Future of American Foreign Policy

Introduction by Damian Murphy, Senior Vice President, National Security and International Policy, Center for American Progress

Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ)

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, former Ambassador to the U.N.

Moderated by Jen Psaki, Host, The Briefing with Jen Psaki, MS NOW

1:45 p.m.

Video: Making Progress Globally

1:48 p.m.

Exclusive Virtual Programming: Addressing the Cost of Health Care

Topher Spiro, Senior Fellow, Health Policy, Center for American Progress

Hosted by Colin Seeberger, Senior Adviser, Center for American Progress

2 p.m.

AI and the Public Good

Ezra Klein, Host, The Ezra Klein Show podcast

Moderated by Chris Hayes, All In with Chris Hayes, MS NOW

2:36 p.m.

Video: Citizens United

2:49 p.m.

The Path Forward for Universal Child Care

Introduction by Jared Bernstein, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

3:02 p.m.

The Next Voting Rights Agenda

Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA)

Moderated by Symone Sanders Townsend, Co-host, The Weeknight, MS NOW

3:30 p.m.

Defending America's Elections

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

3:37 p.m.

A Growth and Opportunity Agenda for Everyone

Introductory Remarks by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

Moderated by Neera Tanden, President and CEO, Center for American Progress

4:09 p.m.

A Plan to Keep Maryland Safe

Introduction by Neera Tanden, President and CEO, Center for American Progress

Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD)

Venue

Center for American Progress

1333 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

RSVP