Called the End Child Poverty Act, the proposal would replace the Child Tax Credit (CTC) with a universal benefit that provides families with $393 per month until the child reaches 18 years of age.
A group of Democratic lawmakers has introduced a new bill that aims to combat child poverty in the United States
The bill was introduced by Democratic Representatives Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Jesus Garcia of Illinois.
According to Omar, the proposed legislation would help millions of families afford basic needs such as food, rent, childcare, and healthcare. The lawmakers hope that the program would reduce child poverty by almost two-thirds. Tlaib, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, expressed disappointment that the expanded CTC, which lifted 2.9 million children out of poverty during the pandemic, has now expired, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet.
Under the new program, there would be no caps on income, and children would be automatically enrolled at birth. The Social Security Administration would distribute the payments, which are estimated to be around $4,700 per child per year.
Proponents of the bill argue that it would be an effective way to reduce child poverty, which currently affects around 14 million children in the United States
The CTC, which currently provides a credit of up to $2,000 per year, was expanded during the pandemic to $3,000 per child aged 6-17 and $3,600 per child aged 5 and younger, with half payable in monthly installments of up to $300. However, the expanded program has expired, and Congress has been reluctant to make it permanent.
Overall, the End Child Poverty Act seeks to address the issue of child poverty in the United States, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With no income caps and automatic enrollment, the proposed program would provide much-needed support to families struggling to make ends meet.
READ ALSO: The Proposal May Offer Households $393 Each Month Per Child In Place Of A Tax Credit
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