The Brookings Institution

10/17/2026

"Allocating trillions of dollars in subsidies to financially comfortable (and even highly wealthy) seniors would be a questionable allocation of tax dollars even within a balanced federal budget. Doing so in an era of unsustainable budget deficits is an unaffordable luxury that threatens to drive up middle-class taxes and force cuts to other progressive spending priorities," writes Jessica Riedl.

Social Security and Medicare finances are headed for a reckoning.

10/15/2026

A new USPS policy could have significant implications for mail voting this election cycle.

A Postal Service policy change that reduces some rural post offices from two daily mail transportation trips to one could increase mail ballot delivery times. According to new research from Elena Patel, the change could result in 43,000 to 55,000 additional ballot rejections nationwide.

In this video, Patel explains what states and counties can do to inform voters and the steps voters can take to reduce the risk of their ballots arriving too late.

10/13/2026

The Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais decision may have implications far beyond how district lines are drawn.

New analysis from Gabriel R. Sanchez, Keon L. Gilbert, and Rashawn Ray examines the potential ripple effects of the Supreme Court's decision. The authors explore what the ruling could mean for voter participation, election administration, and access to voting options such as mail-in voting, raising important questions about representation in the years ahead.

10/05/2026

The Olympic Peninsula is rich in economic assets, natural resources, and community leadership. But turning opportunity into long-term prosperity often depends on investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and access to capital.

On a special episode of Reimagine Rural, Anthony P**a sits down with Derek Kilmer and Benji Backer to discuss insights from a recent visit to the region and what policymakers can learn from rural communities working to strengthen their economic future.

In this special edition of Reimagine Rural, Tony P**a interviews Derek Kilmer, senior vice president, U.S. Program & Policy at The Rockefeller Foundation and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Benji Backer, CEO and founder of Nature ...

09/30/2026

Changes to USPS mail collection schedules could have implications for mail voting.

New research from Elena Patel estimates that reducing some rural post offices from two daily pickups to one could result in 43,000-55,000 additional mail ballot rejections nationwide. The effects may be felt most strongly in rural western communities.

Patel recommends early ballot returns and clear communication from USPS and election officials about affected locations.

09/28/2026

"If communities bear AI's risks and costs, they should also have a meaningful role in shaping the conditions under which it moves forward."

Brookings experts explore questions surrounding AI safety, cybersecurity, economic disruption, regulation, and global governance. Their analyses highlight both the opportunities AI presents and the policy choices needed to manage potential risks.

Scholars from across Brookings address the risks of AI and what regulatory actions are necessary to prevent them.

09/21/2026

Why are student achievement scores declining, and why is trust in public education eroding?

On the latest episode of No More Sidewalks: Parenting Today, Abby McCloskey speaks with Margaret Spellings, president of the Bipartisan Policy Center and former U.S. secretary of education, about the challenges facing America's public schools.

Their conversation covers student performance in reading and math, culture wars and public trust, practical solutions to help children succeed, and more. Listen here: https://brook.gs/4hhhJQ1

09/17/2026

"Beijing is focused on strengthening its long-term position for competing with the United States, not on securing breakthroughs with Trump," writes Ryan Hass.

Chinese leaders continue to treat strategic competition as an enduring and undiminished attribute of the relationship.

09/14/2026

Trifectas—states in which a single party controls the governorship and both houses of the legislature—are at risk of being broken in five states, four of them currently controlled by Republicans.

Brookings senior fellow E.J. Dionne and Max Keeney preview the states to watch in the 2026 gubernatorial races.

09/02/2026

The way Americans raise children is changing. From smartphones and social media to shifts in family life, schools, neighborhoods, and fertility, many of the institutions that once supported childrearing are evolving rapidly.

In Brookings' new podcast, No More Sidewalks: Parenting Today, Abby McCloskey explores these changes and the policy ideas that could help families navigate them. Listen to the trailer and subscribe for upcoming episodes: https://brook.gs/4h91pkD