Democrats Reject Criticism Of Child Tax Credit Accessibility For The Poorest Americans

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pushed back against criticism of the online tool that some families must use to sign up for the new benefit.

Administrative issues could threaten Democrats’ goal of using a $300 monthly benefit for parents to cut child poverty in half. But Democrats don’t want to talk about them.  Parents nationwide began receiving money on Thursday as part of the largest anti-poverty program implemented since the 1960s. The new child tax credit, which is part of President Joe Biden’s signature American Rescue Plan, has already delivered checks to the parents of 60 million children. Democrats are, understandably, eager to celebrate the policy. The tax credit is life-changing for families: It goes up to $3,600 per child and is fully refundable, meaning it will reach low-to-no-income parents and that families can see more of the credit as a cash benefit. The IRS is distributing the credit in advance as monthly payments of up to $300 per child instead of leaving parents to wait until tax season.