A sizable majority of Democrats in both houses of Congress want most American families to continue receiving $300 monthly checks.
The American Rescue Plan Act passed in March increased the child tax credit to $3,000 for children 17-years old or younger. Children under six qualify for $3,600. Families have the option of receiving monthly payments instead of in a lump sum at the end of the tax year to provide relief over time. To qualify, individuals must earn less than $75,000 a year, and couples must make less than $150,000.
Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) is among those who support extending the practice. “I believe that we should fully expand the credit to help families over the long term,” DelBene said, according to CNBC. “This is good short-term policy, but it’s also very good long-term policy.” The Washington state Democrat has attempted to overhaul the child tax credit since 2019.
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) also support expanding the cash benefit permanently. On MSNBC, Schumer described the expansion as “one of the most important things we can do.”
Democrats hold a slim, fragile majority in the Senate. Only 41 of the Democratic senators signed a March letter sent to President Biden proposing a formal, monthly distribution system to continue sending families the Child Tax Credit.
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