U.S. Economy
Hutchins Center Fiscal Impact Measure
The Brookings Economic Studies program provides analysis of current and emerging economic issues to promote innovative and practical policy solutions. Economic Studies scholars conduct rigorous research and policy analysis and communicate their findings to inform policymakers and the public in the areas of broad-based economic growth, economic opportunity and mobility, inclusive social policy, sound monetary and fiscal policy, and climate-resilient growth.
Latest research and commentary
Monetary Policy
The Fed does listen: How it revised the monetary policy framework
U.S. Trade Policy
Small parcels, big problems: Modernizing de minimis in a global economy
Labor & Unemployment
NIH funding and local employment
Featured Events
September
032025
Upcoming Event
September
25-26
2025
U.S. Economy
BPEA Fall 2025 Conference
Featured experts
Ben Harris
Vice President and Director
- Economic Studies,
The Bruce and Virginia MacLaury Chair
Aviva Aron-Dine
Director
- Economic Studies, The Hamilton Project
Gopi Shah Goda
Director
- Retirement Security Project,
Alice M. Rivlin Chair in Economic Policy,
Senior Fellow
- Economic Studies
Elena Patel
Co-Director
- Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center,
Senior Fellow
- Economic Studies
Sanjay Patnaik
Director
- Center on Regulation and Markets,
Bernard L. Schwartz Chair in Economic Policy Development,
Senior Fellow
- Economic Studies
Tara Watson
Director
- Center for Economic Security and Opportunity,
John C. and Nancy D. Whitehead Chair,
Senior Fellow
- Economic Studies
David Wessel
Director
- The Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy,
Senior Fellow
- Economic Studies
In the news
CBS News June 10, 2025
Center on Health Policy Director Richard Frank discusses the negative effects of cutting the CDC’s budget.
Richard G. Frank
Director - Center on Health Policy, Senior Fellow - Economic Studies
The Washington Post June 3, 2025
We have never required a 64-year-old single widow who’s taking care of her grandchild to work in order to be able to receive SNAP benefits.”
Lauren Bauer
Fellow - Economic Studies, Associate Director - The Hamilton Project
Newsweek May 22, 2025
William G. Gale explains why the U.S. credit rating was downgraded and what it means for the economy.
William G. Gale
The Arjay and Frances Fearing Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy, Senior Fellow - Economic Studies, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center
The Huffington Post May 22, 2025
Marta Wosińska provides insight on the scope and impacts of potential pharmaceutical tariffs
Marta E. Wosińska
Senior Fellow - Economic Studies, Center on Health Policy
NBC News April 12, 2025
Millennials are exactly at that age where they are building businesses, and they’re trying to make these businesses work … when you throw in a lot of macroeconomic risk, it just makes..."
John Sabelhaus
Visiting Fellow - Economic Studies, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, Retirement Security Project
Wall Street Journal April 7, 2025
There are so many multiplying effects and different supply chains behind the scenes that are hard to untangle. We will only see the effects when the prices start to bite.”
Sanjay Patnaik
Director - Center on Regulation and Markets, Bernard L. Schwartz Chair in Economic Policy Development, Senior Fellow - Economic Studies @sanjay_patnaik
ABC News March 10, 2025
Aaron Klein joins an ABC News broadcast to discuss the impact of Trump administration tariffs on the American economy.
Aaron Klein
Miriam K. Carliner Chair - Economic Studies, Senior Fellow - Center on Regulation and Markets @AaronDKlein
Marketplace February 12, 2025
Gopi Shah Goda discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the Social Security program.
Gopi Shah Goda
Director - Retirement Security Project, Alice M. Rivlin Chair in Economic Policy, Senior Fellow - Economic Studies @ipogadog
TIME February 12, 2025
Women who earn more than their husbands actually do more housework in an effort to compensate for their higher earnings and the psychological drama involved.
Isabel V. Sawhill
Senior Fellow Emeritus - Economic Studies, Center for Economic Security and Opportunity @isawhillBrookings Papers on Economic Activity
The Brookings Papers on Economic Activity (BPEA) is a semi-annual academic conference and journal that pairs rigorous research with real-time policy analysis to address the most urgent economic challenges of the day.
Past Event
March
27-28
2025
U.S. Economy
BPEA Spring 2025 Conference
U.S. Trade Policy
The US trade deficit: Myths and realities
Federal Reserve
Treasury market dysfunction and the role of the central bank
Housing
America’s housing affordability crisis and the decline of housing supply
