Senate Fails to Advance Child Tax Credit Expansion

The anticipated vote on expanding the Child Tax Credit in the U.S. Senate on Aug. 1 did not succeed as most Republicans voted against it. The bipartisan bill, known as the Tax Relief for Working Families and Americans Act, aimed to make the credit fully refundable by 2025, adjust it for inflation, and allow separate credits for each child. Despite passing in the House with a large majority, the bill failed to advance in the Senate due to Republican objections. The final vote of 48-44 fell short of the necessary 60 votes for cloture. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer supported the bill but changed his vote to “no” for procedural reasons. The bill also included provisions for affordable housing tax credits, new business deductions, and disaster relief exemptions. Negotiations for the bill faced opposition from Republicans over certain provisions, such as the “lookback” provision. Despite efforts to address concerns, the bill did not receive enough support for passage. Criticism of the bill from senators focused on its fiscal impact and perceived lack of necessity. Despite the push from organizations and Senate Democrats, the bill did not progress before the Senate’s summer recess. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) informed The Epoch Times.

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) wrote to Schumer in February, urging him to swiftly bring the important middle-class tax relief legislation to the Senate floor.

The vote took place on the final day before the Senate went on recess.

“If the bill is signed into law, it would lift half a million children out of poverty, increase benefits for 16 million children from low-income families, and provide more money to business owners who invest in R&D and purchase new equipment, ultimately leading to more job opportunities,” Schumer stated the morning of the vote..

Following the vote, Schumer blamed the bill’s failure on the 2024 election and Republicans: “They are determined to obstruct everything,” he remarked.

Rounds, the bill’s main opponent, suggested that the bill could be approved in 2025 alongside efforts to renew business tax cuts that were enacted in 2017 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act supported by then-President Donald Trump.

“If we can’t reach an agreement this year, it will happen next year,” Rounds informed The Epoch Times. “We need to address the remaining tax policy issues as well.”

If the bill is not passed before the end of the 118th Congress, it will expire by Jan. 2, 2025.

Smith, Sanders, and the Trump campaign did not provide comments before the article was published.

Joseph Lord contributed to this article.