Since its founding, Third Way has been directly involved in policy issues such as the benefits of energy innovation, student accountability measures under the Every Student Succeeds Act, deficit reduction, proposals to reform Medicare and Medicaid, the repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell", and new trade accords with Colombia, South Korea, and Panama.
Third Way also seeks to develop electoral strategies for the broader left and advocates for socially liberal policies such as abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and the legalization of marijuana.
[2] In 2010, Third Way sponsored a report written by William Galston of the Brookings Institution and Elaine Kamarck of Harvard Kennedy School titled "Change You Can Believe In Needs a Government You Can Trust".
Third Way's other economic work has included rural reinvestment efforts, a plan to make opportunity more widely available to American middle class and defending the Affordable Care Act.
[17] In March 2018, Third Way released a report outlining a new cause for the Democratic Party and several policy ideas that the organization says "redefines government's role in expanding the opportunity to earn".
The initiative is dedicated to leveling the playing field for people of color and women entrepreneurs, and pushing for federal action to that effect.
"[26] Third Way has worked on the following policy issues: The majority of the think tank's funding comes from individuals with close ties to the banking industry and its board of trustees consists mostly of investment bankers.
[31][32] Hunter of Daily Kos suggested Third Way's ties to the banking industry is the reason for its opposition to Senator Elizabeth Warren's platform of Wall Street reform.
[34] Writing in The Intercept, Akela Lacy describes Third Way as a "center-left, corporate and GOP donor-funded nonprofit", which advocates for neoliberal policies and is staunchly opposed to Medicare for All.
[6] In an editorial for Town Hall, consultant Matt Mackowiak alleges that Third Way has been violating tax laws by both accepting tax-deductible gifts and at the same time engaging in political activity, which taken together, is prohibited by the IRS.
Ball recounted hearing focus group participants blame things like government bureaucracy, changes in society and the family, young people, welfare recipients, Muslims, Republicans, Democrats, income inequality, gerrymandering, and union rights for their problems.
"[39] An eighty-minute call organized by Third Way, with recording obtained by Semafor, detailed the Third Way's effort to suppress third-party candidates or groups who support them and their ballot access for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
[42] On February 16, 2024, Third Way sent letters to the Secretaries of State of Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan urging them to prevent American Values 2024, a super PAC, from collecting signatures on behalf of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.[43] The letters were accompanied by a legal memorandum prepared by Elias Law Group,[44] the law firm of long-time Democratic Party lawyer Marc Elias.
[45] In March 2024, NBC News reported that Third Way was serving as the "hub" for an "anti-third party coalition" targeting No Labels and other independent candidates, including Kennedy.
[46] Alex Seitz-Wald, a senior NBC News political reporter, wrote an in-depth article on the secret recruiting tactics utilized by Third Way to build an anti-No Labels coalition.