Press Releases

Today, the Ways and Means Committee marked up the Economic Mobility Act of 2019, which included substantive provisions from Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro’s (D-CT) legislation, the American Family Act. These provisions would dramatically expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and create a young child tax credit to help lift the most vulnerable children and families in our country out of poverty. According to a Columbia University study, these provisions alone would cut child poverty by 23.1 percent and deep child poverty among young children and their siblings and families by 41.9 percent. 

“I’m very pleased we are now one step closer to passing this critical legislation that strengthens the Child Tax Credit for hardworking families in Washington state and around the nation,” said Rep. DelBene. She added, “This bill is a moral imperative that will help lift families out of poverty and create a fairer system that allows parents to invest in their children’s future.” 

“I am proud to have helped secure the creation of a young child tax credit for children under 4 years old—something I have been working on since 2003. Our youngsters deserve the best possible future we can provide them, and today’s changes will have a life-changing impact for on them and their families—lifting millions of children out of poverty. The Young Child Tax Credit would allow these families to qualify for a $3,000 tax credit, up from $2,000 currently. The tax extenders bill also makes the Child Tax Credit fully refundable, meaning that our most vulnerable families that currently make too little to be eligible will qualify for the full benefit for the first time. This is a monumental first step in creating child allowance in the United States which will give families the resources they need to pay their bills and get ahead. Beyond this step, I will continue to work with my colleagues to make the fully refundable Child Tax Credit and Young Child Tax Credit permanent by passing the American Family Act,” said Rep. DeLauro.

The Economic Mobility Act of 2019 contained two-year expansions of the CTC, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC). These credits will directly impact working and middle-class families and their children and help lift others out of poverty. Additionally, the legislation contained significant anti-poverty provisions for residents of Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories. This is the first time in a decade that the Ways and Means Committee has considered legislation containing major improvements to anti-poverty programs.