DeLauro, DelBene, Torres, Bennet, Booker, Wyden, Warnock Joint Statement on New Child Poverty Data from US Census Bureau and Columbia University Center on Poverty and Social[...]

Today, U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15), along with Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA), released a statement in response to new datafrom the U.S. Census Bureau that shows that child poverty rate remains high following a lapse in extension for the expanded, monthly Child Tax Credit in 2021.

"The US Census Bureau data shows what we already knew to be true when we expanded the Child Tax Credit in 2021 - that had the American Family Act Child Tax Credit been in effect in 2024, we would continue to see steep reductions in child poverty, by itself reducing the child poverty rate nearly in half," the lawmakers said. "Furthermore, President Trump's Big Ugly Law does basically nothing to strengthen the Child Tax Credit or reduce child poverty - if anything, it risks making things worse for families struggling with high costs. In fact, there is essentially no additional child poverty reduction from the Big Ugly Law's Child Tax Credit. By enacting the American Family Act, we would make the expanded, monthly Child Tax Credit permanent - providing families with the largest middle class tax cut on record and economic security during this cost-of-living crisis while greatly reducing child poverty."

The Center on Poverty and Social Policy found that under President Trump's Big Ugly Law, the child poverty rate would stay the same. If the American Family Act had been law, however, the monthly Child Tax Credit by itself would cut child poverty nearly in half, keeping a total of 5.6 million children out of poverty. You can find the Center's analysis here.

"We have a proven solution to helping families with high costs. Do not be fooled by what the Republicans are selling," the lawmakers continued. "An expanded, monthly Child Tax Credit must be made permanent - we should enact the American Family Act immediately. We will fight to ensure hardworking families - the backbone of the American economy - receive this needed tax cut."

To learn more as to how the GOP CTC fails America's families, compared to the American Family Act, click here.