Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of national and local commentaries online and in print each day. There's a reason voters are hearing more about the child tax credit during this presidential campaign, with both Republican and Democratic candidates voicing support for its expansion. Giving families with children a break on their taxes is a popular and effective policy that reduces poverty and helps parents afford basic necessities such as groceries and childcare. Currently capped at $2,000 per child and set to expire in 2025, the child tax credit has become a focal point for differing political agendas.
Vice President Kamala Harris aims to restore it to its pandemic-era level of up to $3,600 per child and even add an additional $6,000 credit for families with newborns. Former President Donald Trump has been ambiguous about his stance but his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, wants to increase it to $5,000. However, skepticism remains about Republican pledges. Vance, despite labeling Democrats as ‘anti-family and anti-kid,’ failed to vote for a modest expansion of the child tax credit defeated by Senate Republicans on August 1. Trump, with tax policies favoring the wealthy, has been criticized for inconsistent promises.
The next administration needs to prioritize a permanent expansion of a policy proven to reduce financial stress and lift children out of poverty. Originating in 1997 under President Bill Clinton, the child tax credit has seen multiple expansions, the most significant being under President Joe Biden’s 2021 American Rescue Plan. The law, passed without Republican votes, increased the child tax credit, made it fully refundable, allowed monthly deposits, and extended full benefits to low-income children. These enhancements led to a significant drop in child poverty and food insecurity.
Families felt less financial stress and saw their bank balances improve, using the predictable monthly income primarily for essentials like food, childcare, and housing. Despite its success, Congress let these provisions expire after six months, and Republicans have opposed further expansions. Harris’s agenda includes resurrecting and expanding Biden’s pandemic-era child tax credit, offering significant relief for working- and middle-class families. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, her running mate, implemented a similar $1,750-per-child tax credit in his state. On the other hand, Vance’s approach to expanding the child tax credit reflects his fringe beliefs on women's societal roles and pronatalist views.
He also proposes extending benefits to wealthy families, showcasing a Republican tendency to favor the rich. For instance, Trump's 2017 tax cuts included an increase in the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000, but the structure primarily benefitted high-income families. Families earning $400,000 received a $4,000 tax break while a single parent making minimum wage saw only a $75 increase, illustrating a disparity highlighted by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. With rising costs for housing, food, and other essentials, families deserve more robust support. Strengthening the child tax credit is an effective solution.
Encouragingly, both Republican and Democratic candidates are pledging more assistance for families. The well-being of children is a societal concern and should transcend partisan divides. However, electoral promises hold more weight when backed by consistent actions. Voters should scrutinize politicians' records, ensuring ‘pro-family’ claims align with actual policies and decisions. This editorial originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
