We must fight to protect birth control

[ACT NOW] Help transform our criminal justice system Problems viewing this email? [View it in your browser]( [Center for American Progress]( InProgress from the Center for American Progress Protecting and expanding access to contraception options [Buttons that read "Defend reproductive rights" sit on a table]( Did you know that [99 percent]( of women ages 15–44 in the United States use some form of contraception over the course of their lifetime? For more than 60 years, access to more reliable birth control has given many women greater reproductive and bodily autonomy and the ability to meet their family planning goals. This [advancement]( in contraception and family planning services contributed to: - Improved women’s labor force participation - Increased college attainment and educational outcomes - A narrowing of the gender pay gap - Improved professional career growth among women Yet recent and persistent threats to reproductive care threaten to stifle this progress. Now is the time to bolster protections and expand access to contraception. Check out the [second chapter]( of the “[Playbook for the Advancement of Women in the Economy]( for more details on: - The progress in women’s right to comprehensive contraceptive care - Potential threats to that progress - Actions federal and state policymakers can take to protect and expand access to contraception [ReaD The Chapter]( Building an economy for women is building an economy for all. Sign up for weekly updates on how to center women in the economy. [Subscribe]( What is Second Chance Month? Today is the last day of [Second Chance Month]( an annual opportunity to emphasize and uplift post-incarceration rehabilitation and reentry programs for people with criminal records. Watch this video to learn more: [Why does Second Chance Month exist? ]( [Share This]( Help transform our criminal legal system As [Second Chance Month]( draws to a close, it’s important to acknowledge the struggles that millions of formerly incarcerated individuals continue to face daily. [Most Americans agree]( that barriers to employment, school, and other opportunities should be removed, but 9 in 10 employers, 4 in 5 landlords, and 3 in 5 higher education institutions still use background checks in hiring, leasing, and admissions, respectively. It’s time for this to change. Join the more than 85 percent of Americans who agree that the main goal of our criminal legal system should be rehabilitation. Ask your congressional representative to pass Clean Slate legislation that gives people a second chance. [Act Now]( Wealth for Americans under 40 is at an all-time high [Recent homebuyers move into their new condo.]( The latest data increasingly show that younger Americans are winners in the strong economic recovery coming out of the pandemic. A [new column]( from the Center for American Progress confirms that Americans under 40 are seeing historic growth in inflation-adjusted household wealth that is unparalleled in recent decades. [graph representing younger americans that have seen the fastest wealth growth of any group since the onset of the pandemic]( No other age group has seen anywhere near this level of wealth accumulation during and after the pandemic recession. Specifically, the households of Millennials—those born from 1981 to 1996—saw inflation-adjusted wealth more than double during this period. The historically quick and strong economic recovery after the pandemic recession is the reason for this, and it stems directly from actions and investments made by the Biden administration. Younger Americans are experiencing an [especially low unemployment rate and especially strong wage growth]( making it easier for them to accumulate wealth. [reAD More]( RSVP for tomorrow’s 2024 Summit on Education [CAP Summit on Education featuring Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association]( Strong public education can support a strong and thriving democracy. Join us tomorrow, May 1, and May 2 for our [2024 Summit on Education]( where we will discuss everything from civil rights to climate resilience. Make sure to tune into National Education Association President [Becky Pringle]( conversation with CAP President and CEO [Patrick Gaspard]( on the democratic purposes of the American public education system. [rSVP NOW]( Federal investments in action [Biden Administration Investment Tracker]( Explore the [Biden Administration Investment Tracker]( to see the impacts of the administration’s legislation—including new jobs, better infrastructure, and more. [Explore the Tracker]( [Stay Up to Date with the Latest Projects]( Follow us on [Follow us on Twitter]( [Follow us on Facebook]( [Follow us on YouTube]( [Follow us on Instagram]( [Support CAP]( [Manage Email Preferences or Unsubscribe]( [Privacy Policy]( [Center for American Progress]( Center for American Progress 1333 H Street NW Washington, D.C. 20005 [supporter]