Policy & Advocacy
Democrats and Progressives Reckon with an Apparent Rightward Shift of Immigrant Voters
A growing body of post-election data suggests there was a shift to the right among immigrant voters. How are progressive advocates responding, and what are the implications for Democrats? Read more
Apr 6, 2021
A Brennan Center Expert Takes on the FBI
As Democrats push law enforcement to take domestic terrorism more seriously, the Brennan Center's Michael German has emerged as a go-to expert on addressing white supremacy. Read more
Apr 6, 2021
Sarah Miller on Battling Tech Monopolies
With Democrats back in power and calls growing to rein in corporate giants, AELP executive director and antitrust advocate Sarah Miller is hoping to make the most of the moment. Read more
Apr 5, 2021
"An Epidemic Within the Pandemic." How Eight Funders Back Gun Violence Prevention
In the wake of two new mass shootings, advocates see a window of opportunity for reform. Here are some of the philanthropic funders who are in this fight for the long haul. Read more
Apr 1, 2021
How a Tiny Group of Activists Built a Criminal Justice Reform Organization
The Texas Jail Project has statewide and even national reach. It was founded by four women who knew nothing about criminal justice. This is what they did—and how others can follow. Read more
Mar 30, 2021
Amy Hanauer on the Battle for a More Progressive Tax System
Blue Tent editor David Callahan talks to the head of the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy about why progressives need to pay more attention to tax policy—especially now. Read more
Mar 19, 2021
How Progressive Farming Groups Are Pushing Biden and Congress
Organizations like Family Farm Defenders are looking to roll back Big Ag's growing dominance of U.S. and global food systems, calling for major reforms. What are they asking for? Read more
Mar 17, 2021
Youth Organizations Demand an End To Police in Schools
Working with the Center for Popular Democracy, youth organizations have created a list of demands for the new Congress and White House to end the presence of police in schools. Read more
Mar 15, 2021
Abdul El-Sayed and Micah Johnson Make the Case for Medicare for All
Abdul El-Sayed and Micah Johnson are stressing the need for a grassroots movement on single-payer. Their new book gives progressives a slew of talking points on healthcare. Read more
Mar 12, 2021
Inside a National Initiative to Help Wipe Past Convictions "Clean"
Roughly one-third of Americans have some kind of criminal record—and are barred from housing, jobs and more as a result. The Clean Slate Initiative is fighting this practice. Read more
Mar 12, 2021
Seven Funders Behind the Movement for a Higher Minimum Wage
A minimum wage hike didn't make it into the COVID relief bill, but economic justice advocates still have a cadre of dedicated funders in their corner. Here is who's backing the fight. Read more
Mar 11, 2021
Quincy Institute's Suzanne DiMaggio on Reimagining U.S. Foreign Policy
The Quincy Institute was founded to push for a more restrained foreign policy. We talk to its co-founder about how it's challenging conventional thinking and how it hopes to influence Biden. Read more
Mar 10, 2021
How a Top Criminal Justice Group Backs Reform Efforts Across the U.S.
Civil Rights Corps has been moving fast and growing fast in recent years. It provides a range of supports to local groups working to reform criminal justice systems. Here's a peek inside. Read more
Mar 9, 2021
What Labor Advocates Want From Biden to Protect Workers From COVID
Biden wants to revive the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which was gutted by Trump. Worker allies praise that effort, but they’re still waiting for a crucial pandemic standard. Read more
Mar 4, 2021
Immigration Activists Pressure Biden to Deliver on His Promises
President Biden is facing a minefield when it comes to immigration. Already, his administration is drawing fire from activist groups that say he's walking back key promises. Read more
Mar 2, 2021
In Michigan, a Criminal Justice Reform Group is Scoring Wins
Michigan Liberation has been around for less than three years. But the group led by formerly incarcerated people and their families is already shaping electoral outcomes and public policy. Read more
Mar 2, 2021
Spencer Overton on Leading a Think Tank Focused on Black America
Blue Tent's David Callahan talks to Overton about his work to revive the Joint Center for Economic and Political Studies, the challenges of scaling a think tank, and the need to invest in Black policy experts. Read more
Mar 1, 2021
In a Test on Trade Policy, Progressives Push Biden to End “Vaccine Apartheid”
Advocates are calling on the White House to buck Big Pharma and support a change in trade policy to allow wider access to vaccines, tests and treatments for the developing world. Read more
Mar 1, 2021
The Quest for Transit Justice is Driving New Organizing and Advocacy
Even before COVID deepened the crisis facing transit systems, advocates were connecting up transportation inequities with a broader agenda for economic and racial justice. Read more
Feb 25, 2021
Jonathan Cohn Wants Healthcare Reformers to Prepare for the Long Haul
Cohn's new book, "The Ten Year War," is a culmination of two decades covering healthcare. The HuffPost reporter talks to Blue Tent about what he's learned and the road ahead. Read more
Feb 25, 2021