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Rachel Cohen

Rachel Cohen

Policy Correspondent

Rachel Cohen is a reporter who focuses on US social policy. Based in Washington, DC, she keeps a close eye on the politics influencing policy development and the leaders, activists, and researchers spearheading those ideas.

She writes stories about housing, like the rise of tent encampments, evictions, and the nation’s housing supply shortage. She reports on education and child care, like the dearth of after-school programs, the pandemic’s academic toll, and school funding litigation. She has reported extensively on abortion politics in the post-Roe era and covers economic policies like the expiration of the expanded child tax credit and the consequences of rising interest rates for workers.

Rachel has been covering social policy issues in DC for more than a decade, with reporting published in more than two dozen national outlets including the New York Times, the Atlantic, Bloomberg, the Daily Beast, and the Washington Post.

She welcomes your ideas and questions. You can email her at [email protected], find her on Twitter at @rmc031, or message her on Signal at 1-202-681-6194.

Latest articles by Rachel Cohen

If Democrats could compromise with Republicans on abortion, should they?If Democrats could compromise with Republicans on abortion, should they?
Abortion

Advocates fear half-measures could undermine their long-term goals.

By Rachel Cohen
Could tweaks to the tax code lead to more marriages — and more kids?Could tweaks to the tax code lead to more marriages — and more kids?
Policy

Some pronatalists say we should end financial penalties for couples who tie the knot.

By Rachel Cohen
The trans school sports rule the Democrats didn’t talk aboutThe trans school sports rule the Democrats didn’t talk about
Policy

The Biden administration proposed a change to school athletics that sought a compromise.

By Rachel Cohen
Did Democrats lose the 2024 election because of “bad” policies?Did Democrats lose the 2024 election because of “bad” policies?
2024 Elections

Betting on voter gratitude is a common mistake.

By Rachel Cohen
Arizona’s unprecedented crackdown on homeless encampmentsArizona’s unprecedented crackdown on homeless encampments
2024 Elections

Voters this week approved a first-of-its-kind measure to pay property owners if cities don’t address camps.

By Rachel Cohen
Trump won, but so did seven ballot measures protecting abortion rightsTrump won, but so did seven ballot measures protecting abortion rights
Abortion

Ten states had referendums on reproductive freedom.

By Rachel Cohen
Trump won. So what does that mean for abortion?Trump won. So what does that mean for abortion?
Trump 2.0, explained

It will be easier to restrict reproductive rights in the president-elect’s second term.

By Rachel Cohen
What happens when you promise child care for every kid?
Policy

Lessons for Americans from Germany’s imperfect experiment.

By Rachel Cohen
Increasing child care teacher pay doesn’t have to mean charging parents more
Policy

Day care workers earn less than dog walkers. States are finally realizing that’s got to change.

By Rachel Cohen
What if cities finally legalized adult dorms?What if cities finally legalized adult dorms?
HousingMember Exclusive

Experts think they’ve cracked the code for how to actually convert empty office buildings into affordable housing.

By Rachel Cohen