SIGN NOW to tell Congress to prioritize the Child Tax Credit over more tax cuts for corporations! SIGN NOW

Dear Friend,

I’ve been watching a lot of Scrooge movies lately–the Muppet version, Bill Murray, and of course, the old British classic. As the old story goes, this grumpy rich man finally sees the light of day and realizes working families need support as well. We need to give that holiday wake up call to some members of Congress this week!

*Sign our letter now telling Congress “Don’t be a Scrooge!! Expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC) first before considering any tax cuts for corporations!” (If we already have your information, you will be automatically signed on to our letter when you click here).

Here’s what’s going on: Leaders in Congress are scrambling to put together a tax deal that they are hoping to pass early next year. Republicans in Congress want to extend tax cuts for corporations that are set to expire. We know that parents want tax policies that look very different! Luckily, our champions on the Democrat side are standing up for working families and saying “no tax cuts for corporations without first expanding the Child Tax Credit!”[1]

Because of your relentless pressure–calling, signing letters, sharing your stories, and more–we are starting to gain support even among Republicans on inclusion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) in any tax deal.[2] This is important because we all know how powerful the CTC is in reducing child poverty and giving families the support they need to afford child care, rent, groceries, school supplies, and lots of other things our growing children need. In fact, when President Biden and Congress expanded the CTC two years ago, it was responsible for cutting child poverty in half. But because its further expansion was blocked by Republicans in Congress, this year the poverty rate for children more than doubled.[3] That’s awful! We have the tools to combat child poverty, help moms return to work, and give much needed assistance to families living paycheck-to-paycheck—we just need Congress to take action!

Our elected leaders need to do more to make sure working parents, families, and small businesses have the opportunities and tools they need to build a better life. The CTC does just that!

With Congress negotiating a new tax package, making sure the CTC reaches children most in need should be the priority in any tax package. Currently an estimated 19 million children receive less than the full CTC because their parents’ incomes are too low.[4] These are the families that need the CTC the most! These children should be the focus of any CTC expansion in the coming year. Proposals to expand the credit that would do little or nothing to reduce child poverty or expand the credit meaningfully for these 19 million children should be rejected.

***SIGN OUR LETTER calling on Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit now! (If we already have your information, you will be automatically signed on to our letter when you click here).

The letter we are sending to members of Congress states the following:

Dear Member of Congress,

Data shows the temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) allowed people to pay for childcare so they can work and take care of their families.

It’s clear that families need Congress to double down on building an economy that respects working people – with quality jobs and an expanded Child Tax Credit – so people can work, take care of our families, and contribute to our communities.

Right now it’s on Congress to do more to make sure working families have the tools they need to build a good life and our economy to succeed and that means expanding the Child Tax Credit.

Expanding the CTC must be the first priority in any tax package you consider in the coming months. There are currently 19 million children excluded from the full credit because of the structure of the CTC. In deliberating a potential year-end or early 2024 tax package, Congress has an opportunity to improve the CTC for the lowest income families currently left out of the full benefit. Ensuring that the full CTC reaches the lowest-income children who need it most will not only help boost struggling families, but also our economy.

We are counting on your support to ensure that the first priority of any tax package is an expansion of the Child Tax Credit so families and our economy can thrive.

We know a tax package could move very quickly at the beginning of next year, so please make sure to sign our letter now to Congress calling on lawmakers to expand the CTC for our families!

The reality is expanding the CTC makes sound economic sense. This money allows parents to afford things like child care so they can work, take care of their family, and do their part to keep our economy growing–which is good for everyone, including businesses.

Make sure to SIGN our letter and then post the action link on social media – and also share this email with your friends and family – so others can sign as well. None of us want to be a Scrooge this time of year!

Together we can make a difference and lift up all families!
-Elyssa, Donna, Kristin, Hanna, and the whole MomsRising.org & MamásConPoder Team

P.S. If you haven't yet, can you click here and support our work for moms and families with an end-of-year gift? All gifts through Dec 31 are matched dollar for dollar by a generous donor! Thank you so much.

References:

[1] Axios. “Congress eyes last-minute child tax deal.” December 11, 2023.
[2] Roll Call. “Some Republicans crack door open to child tax credit compromise.” August 10, 2023.
[3] CBPP. “Record Rise in Poverty Highlights Importance of the Child Tax Credit.” September 12, 2023.
[4] CBPP. “Any year-end tax legislation should expand Child Tax Credit to cut child poverty.” November 7, 2023.

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