Tell the 118th Congress to Expand the Child Tax Credit
Congress has a chance to expand the CTC to fix a major flaw in current law: over 19 million children and their families are excluded from the full credit because their parents’ incomes are too low.
Our United Methodist tradition affirms a vision of abundant living where all of God’s children have access to sufficient resources to thrive. In our pursuit of seeking justice for the poor, we must support such policies as “meaningful employment opportunities, decent housing, and radical revisions of welfare programs.” (2016 Book of Discipline, Social Principles p163)
As the United States Congress negotiates an end of year tax package, we must urge the House and Senate to prioritize the poor. Any tax package must include the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) for lower-income families.
When Congress expanded the CTC in 2021, it increased the maximum amount of the credit from $2,000 per child to $3,600 for children aged 5 and under, and to $3,000 for children up to age 17. In just one year, child poverty dropped by 46% and low-income families were better able to afford basic expenses like housing, food, utilities, and child care. That progress was erased when Congress let the CTC expire at the end of 2021. Congress has a chance to expand the CTC to fix a major flaw in current law: over 19 million children and their families are excluded from the full credit because their parents’ incomes are too low. A single parent, for example, earning $15,000 a year and has two children will receive less from the tax credit than a family with a parent who has a higher paying job. Additionally, families where a parent cannot work due to illness or job loss do not qualify for the CTC at all. Expanding the Child Tax Credit will have immeasurable benefits to families for generations to come.
As United Methodists, we are called to support the poor and challenge the rich by supporting policies that begin to alleviate poverty (Social Principles, Paragraph 163.E). Included in this ministry is the call to advocate for supportive policy and sustainable funding.
Use the form below to contact your members of Congress today and advocate for the inclusion of an expanded Child Tax Credit in a year-end tax package.
