Dads Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Chair and Founder of the Congressional Dads Caucus, released the following statement on the bipartisan tax proposal on the Child Tax Credit:

“As Chair of the Dads Caucus, which has championed the enhanced Child Tax Credit from our founding, I’m glad to see Republicans are finally moving towards the gold standard for the Child Tax Credit we set under the Democratic majority. As dads, we know that financial relief for families is most effective when it’s advanceable—meaning money in families’ pockets every single month —and when it’s fully refundable, to ensure real assistance gets to the lowest income families. As negotiations move forward, the Dads Caucus will continue working to ensure the Child Tax Credit is implemented in a way that will have the greatest impact in ending child poverty.”

Background:

• As Dads Caucus chair, Rep. Gomez is advocating for two changes to the tax package to make the Child Tax Credit more impactful and accessible for families who need it most:
  • Advanceability: Giving CTC payment to families on a monthly basis, instead of as a lump sum at the end of the year, is a way to help offset regular food and housing costs for parents. Families need this money urgently, and making payments monthly instead of annual does not change or add to the cost of this bill.
  • Full Refundability: Low-income parents who are between jobs, below a taxable income or do not owe additional taxes currently cannot receive the full CTC benefit. These low-income families, who often need this credit most, should receive the same benefits as their higher-income counterparts.
• Rep. Gomez called for a similar tax deal to be made in 2022, urging Congressional leadership to not advance any corporate tax breaks without also implementing the enhanced child tax credit.

###