Expansion to Child Credit Slated for Inclusion in New Round of Stimulus

If Congress’s $1.9 trillion stimulus plan becomes law, one important addition to its language will be the expansion of the child tax credit, thanks to Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. In a story published this week in The 19th, DeLauro is credited with persistent championing of increasing fiscal support to the poorest children in the country. Until recently, she was the lone voice, but her credit expansion has recently found GOP and Democratic allies.

According to The 19th, the credit maximum would increase from $2,000 per child to $3,600 with funds being disbursed monthly rather than yearly. The credit would cover children aged 6 to 17. Its inclusion in the stimulus bill, however, is not enough, as the change would not come into effect until next year. Therefore, DeLauro is pushing to make the change permanent. 

As we’ve written about since last March when the lockdowns began, the pandemic has thrown child welfare into sharp relief as many parents have been put out of work. Along with other legislation, such as a greatly expanded paid family and medical leave, a possibility, such credits could be a lifeline to children who have been deeply affected by the lockdowns.

The article has much more detail on the bill as well as a dive into DeLauro’s political career, from her first appointment as former Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd’s chief of staff to a 16 term run in Congress.

Additionally, we will be highlighting other pieces of the stimulus legislation that may have a significant impact on our areas of practice and concern, such as the aforementioned leave and workplace rights.