John,

Across Washington State, nearly 200,000 children under the age of 18 are living in poverty. Childhood poverty has devastating impacts on families, with these children often facing increased stress, health issues, hunger, and housing instability.

And it's not just a problem in Washington State -- 1 in 6 American children live in poverty.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the crisis of childhood poverty in our country, which is why my Democratic House colleagues and I took action. I was proud to help pass the American Rescue Plan earlier this year. As the only pediatrician in Congress, I made sure the plan included several provisions to improve the lives of children, including the Child Tax Credit expansion.

For middle-class families, the monthly tax credit will help with the costs of after school care, tutoring, and extracurriculars. For the millions of working families living paycheck to paycheck, these monthly payments will help provide financial security and stability for children, reduce stress, and improve long-term outcomes.

Child Tax Credit payments of up to $300 per month per child are beginning on July 15 and will help millions of American families -- including almost 80% of the children in Washington's 8th District. We are talking about more than 150,000 children. This historic investment in our families is expected to cut child poverty in half.

If you meet the eligibility requirements and filed your tax return in 2019 or 2020, you will automatically receive this payment. Click here for more information about the Child Tax Credit, or visit the IRS's website to see if you're eligible to receive payments, and to update your information.

Thank you,

Kim