East King News

On June 7, 2023, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15) introduced the American Family Act, legislation that would make permanent the expanded and improved monthly Child Tax Credit (CTC).

The expanded and improved CTC that was signed into law as part of the American Rescue Plan was based on the American Family Act and served as the largest tax cut for working families in generations. It reached more than 1.4 million children in Washington state, over 61 million children nationwide, and lifted nearly 4 million children out of poverty in 2021. 

“The enhanced Child Tax Credit was one of the most transformational policies from the American Rescue Plan, cutting child poverty in half, boosting our economy, and helping parents pay rent, put food on the table, and afford other essentials for their kids. This is a proven program that will help grow our economy by rebuilding and strengthening the middle class,” said DelBene. “We must build on this progress by permanently reinstating this monthly benefit to ensure that every child has a fair chance at success.” 

“When we expanded and improved the Child Tax Credit in 2021 under the American Rescue Plan, it provided unprecedented economic security for American families. It was the largest tax cut for middle-class and working families in generations,” said DeLauro. “These monthly payments helped parents pay bills, keep healthy and nutritious food on the table, afford school clothes and supplies, pay for a music lesson or a new pair of cleats, or manage a mortgage or rent payment. It lifted nearly 4 million children out of poverty in one year alone. It worked, and it is time we get it working for families and children once more. I am proud to join Congresswoman DelBene and Congressman Torres in reintroducing this critical legislation once more.”

“An investment in our children and their families is an investment in the future of our country,” said Torres. “In 2021 alone, the expanded Child Tax Credit reached more than 61 million children and lifted nearly four million of them out of poverty. No government program has impacted so many Americans in such a short amount of time. It’s one reason why I was proud to support the American Rescue Plan and why we must pass the American Family Act. Making the Child Tax Credit permanent provides much-needed financial stability for working families, helps them make ends meet and fight rising costs, and reduces child poverty. I can’t think of a more worthy cause than helping meet the basic needs of children – our future – so they can learn, grow, and reach their fullest potential.”

The American Family Act is cosponsored by 204 members of the House of Representatives, over 90% of the House Democratic Caucus.

The bill is endorsed by Black Women for Wages for Housework, Care Income Now!, Center for the Study of Social Policy, Child Welfare League of America, Children’s Defense Fund, Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York,  Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Coalition on Human Needs, Common Sense Media, Community Change Action, Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath), Economic Security Project Action, Family Focused Treatment Association, First Focus Campaign for Children, Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Fuerza, Futures Without Violence, Grace/End Child Poverty California, San Diego for Every Child, Global Women’s Strike, High Ground Institute, Institute On Taxation And Economic Policy (ITEP),The Invisible Americans Podcast:  End Child Poverty, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Just Harvest, Keep Families Afloat, LIFT, Inc., MomsRising, National Association of Counties (NACo)Public Advocacy for Kids, National Diaper Bank Network, National Women’s Law Center, Orange County United Way, Payday Men’s Network, Prevent Child Abuse America, Prosperity Now, Public Advocacy for Kids, Save the Children, School-Based Health Alliance, Texas Kids Can’t Wait, UnidosUS, Women of Color/Global Women’s Strike, Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, and ZERO TO THREE.

A copy of the bill text is available here. A copy of the bill summary is available here.

Original source can be found here.