Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement in response to new Census data showing that the historic gains made in fighting childhood poverty from one year of the expanded Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan were undone in the year since Republicans refused to continue the policy.

“Today’s data further proves how monthly Child Tax Credit payments resulted in a historic reduction in childhood poverty across the country. It also shows what happens in their absence. The gains made in combatting childhood poverty have been erased since Republicans allowed the policy to expire in 2022.

“While House Democrats continue to fight to bring back monthly Child Tax Credit checks, House Republicans are instead focused on doubling down on their failed economic approach that prioritizes tax giveaways to the wealthy and well-connected. This isn’t fair and this isn’t right.

“Republicans own this loss of progress for American families and our economy.”

Background:

• The expanded Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan reached over 65 million kids in nearly 40 million families.
• 3.7 million children were lifted out of poverty because of monthly Child Tax credit payments.
• Childhood poverty costs $1 trillion a year in lost productivity, crime, and health disparities.
• The American Rescue Plan expansion of the Child Tax Credit was modeled after the American Family Act, legislation DelBene leads in the House with Reps. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Ritchie Torres (NY-15).