Last push to save expanded child tax credit in Senate

The proposed child tax credit, part of a bipartisan tax package the passed the U.S. House in January, is projected to help 16 million children living in poverty, but hopes are now dimming that it will make it through the Senate, as The 74 reported. 

This expanded child tax credit, which would apply to 2023 taxes being filed this spring, is not as generous as one Congress passed in 2021, which expired. Still, experts say it would help fight child poverty, which has spiked since the larger pandemic benefit ran out just as inflation hit families hard on rising costs from housing to child care. 

“I think this is the best chance we have of passing the tax package this year,” said Elyssa Schmier, a vice president for government relations with MomsRising, an advocacy group, as The 74 reported.  “We hear from families every day that are struggling to afford child care, medicine for their children, groceries and rent.”

Conservatives have objected to key parts of the bill, which is now stalled in the Senate.