Save the Children Statement on Child Tax Credit (CTC) Proposal

Washington, D.C. (January 25, 2024) - Save the Children praises the bipartisan Child Tax Credit (CTC) proposal released by Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Jason Smith, which would provide meaningful support to millions of children in families with low incomes. We applaud the House Ways & Means Committee for approving the measure with overwhelming bipartisan support, and urge Congress to pass this enhancement to the Child Tax Credit as quickly as possible.

"The bipartisan Child Tax Credit proposal is a crucial step towards supporting families with low incomes and ensuring a brighter future for our nation's children. In the first year alone, this expansion would benefit roughly 16 million families with low incomes, including over 1 in 5 children under the age of 17,” said Christy Gleason, Vice President of Policy at Save the Children. “We appreciate the dedication shown by Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Jason Smith in crafting this proposal, and we applaud the House Ways & Means Committee for their bipartisan support.”

Drawing from the success of the temporary expansion to the Child Tax Credit during the pandemic, the proposal is poised to make a significant impact, lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. By 2025, 500,000 children would be lifted out of poverty, and the depth of poverty for millions more would be reduced; increasing the quality of life for children across the country, especially in rural areas. While there is still work to improve the CTC for low-income families, including full refundability for families on the lowest income, this proposal marks a significant step in the ongoing fight against child poverty.

Save the Children calls on the House and the Senate to swiftly pass this bipartisan Child Tax Credit proposal, ensuring that the enhanced support reaches families in need and contributes to building a more equitable and secure future for our nation's children.

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.