Senate Republicans are currently opposing a proposal to expand the popular Child Tax Credit, citing concerns about its impact on work incentives and potential benefits for illegal immigrants. The legislation, which aims to extend the credit for tax years 2023, 2024, and 2025, has been stalled in the Senate due to disagreements over key provisions. One of the main points of contention is a provision that would allow parents to claim the credit based on their prior year’s income, a feature that some Republicans argue could be misused by those who stop working altogether.
Despite efforts to find common ground, Senate Republicans have not accepted proposed compromises, leading to a standstill in the legislative process. The debate over the Child Tax Credit has become increasingly politicized, with stakeholders accusing Republicans of delaying the bill to prevent Democrats from claiming a victory ahead of the 2024 election. This has raised concerns that the bill may not pass in time before the end of the 118th Congress, potentially resulting in a lower tax credit in the future.
“There is widespread understanding that the Republican caucus is holding ground … because certain members believe that they will get a better ideological tax deal if they were to take back the Senate,” a source familiar with the negotiations, speaking on background, told The Epoch Times.
Mr. Crapo has rebuffed the argument that Republicans are holding out on the bill. “I don’t presume those kinds of things, and that’s not the position I’m advocating,” he said, according to comments shared by his office with The Epoch Times.
Pressure on Schumer
In response to Republican opposition, senators supporting the bill are demanding that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) schedule a vote. They hope this will compel reluctant senators to vote in favor and avoid being seen as targeting the Child Tax Credit, which is popular in opinion polls.
“I urge you to also bring this critical middle class tax relief legislation to the Senate floor as soon as possible,” wrote Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) in a February letter to Mr. Schumer. We want to get the Child Tax Credit done. It’s an urgency,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) told The Epoch Times.
“Many of us have made clear that we support moving forward” on the bill, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) told The Epoch Times. Still, his colleagues indicated to The Epoch Times that they didn’t know when a vote would occur.
Some Democrats were hesitant in their commitment to the bill.
“I haven’t made a decision on it,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) told The Epoch Times.
“I’ll have to look at the latest negotiations,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) told The Epoch Times, though she expressed general approval of the bill.
Mr. Wyden noted that there is “substantial agreement” in the Senate Democratic Caucus on the current bill, though it would require at least nine Republican votes to clear the “cloture” hurdle of a filibuster. He did not answer when The Epoch Times asked about whether the expansion could be passed this Congress.
Advocates warn that the Senate is running out of time to act. After July 4, the body will be in session for just 55 days for the remainder of the year. The bill will lapse on Jan. 2, 2025.
“There’s limited time that the Senate’s in session,” Mr. Dodson said. “I hope that Senator Schumer will offer a clear signal that this is going to come up for a vote in July.”
The Epoch Times caught up with Mr. Schumer in the Senate foyer and asked whether the bill would come to the floor. He did not answer the question.
Can you please rewrite this sentence?
Source link
