Of all the pressing issues on the world stage, one of the most important to American families is the ability to put food on the table, an increasingly expensive task in today’s economy. But the U.S. Senate has an opportunity to pass common-sense legislation to provide much-needed economic relief to Americans while encouraging the formation and growth of families. 

Congressman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and Sen. Ron Wyden’s (D-Oregon) Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act includes a number of provisions meant to help families struggling in this economy, such as an expansion of the child tax credit. The bill passed out of the House of Representatives overwhelmingly and is now being debated in the Senate. While its fate is still yet unknown, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) encourages senators to support American families by voting in favor of the bill.

Some of the proposed updates to the child tax credit program:

• A "lookback" provision that would allow families to use the previous year's reported income to claim the credit. This would allow moms to take time off from the workforce and spend critical time with their newborns without being penalized financially. 
• The tax credit would be adjusted for inflation, rather than staying the same flat payment year over year
• A tiered increase in the refundable tax credit for low-income families to $1,800 in 2023, $1,900 in 2024, and to the full amount for all qualifying children in 2025
• A provision that penalizes low-income families for having more than one child would be removed

 

Fewer Americans are forming families every year; many women feel too financially insecure to have children, and young families are struggling under the burden caused by out-of-control inflation. Preserving the nation begins at home, by supporting families, which is why CWALAC endorses the new improvements to the child tax credit. Contact your Senators today and ask them to support this pro-life and pro-family legislation.