Seeing Congress unite on issues of major importance, especially those that advocate for pro-life and pro-family values, has turned into an uncommon occurrence. Yet, the Tax Relief for American Workers and Families Act of 2024 breaks through the partisan divide to do just that.
Under the leadership of Chairman Jason Smith, the House Ways and Means Committee has given its strong endorsement to the legislation, with unanimous Republican and nearly unanimous Democratic support.
Speaker Johnson's decision to fast-track the bill to the floor for a vote, resulting in a commanding approval of 357-70 at January's close, deserves applause. The bill's journey now continues to the Senate, where its outcome is more uncertain. This legislation has garnered the backing of a diverse coalition of organizations, including the National Association of Evangelicals, the National Council of Churches, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and various Latino evangelical and Hispanic pastor associations, alongside Sojourners, Students for Life, and Concerned Women for America, to name a few.
This eclectic alliance underscores a shared conviction: American families, grappling with the soaring costs of child-rearing, merit and require our collective support. H.R. 7024 aims to amplify the child tax credit for over 60 million children in the U.S., targeting assistance particularly towards low-income and larger families — those who stand to benefit the most.
The enhanced child tax credit sends a powerful message to expectant parents: You are not alone in the financial challenges of parenthood. This policy eliminates the need for additional federal structures, empowering parents to determine the best use of funds for their children's needs, without governmental intrusion. It eases the tax load for those who are already making significant societal contributions. While some express concerns over potential disincentives to work due to the credit's "look back" feature, which allows for qualification based on the previous year's income, the reality of parenting's demands and costs counter such arguments. Moreover, this provision may afford parents the chance to take extended leave, enhancing bonding time with their newborns during crucial developmental stages.
As the bill progresses to the Senate, where Leaders Schumer and McConnell have shown initial support, it faces a chamber preoccupied with budgeting and legislative challenges related to foreign aid and immigration reforms. Yet, this bipartisan initiative supporting children and families should not fall by the wayside amidst these deliberations.
Looking forward, the aspiration for 2025 is to further solidify a pro-life, pro-family tax framework, particularly through an expanded child tax credit and the universal charitable deduction, as advocated by Senators Coons and Lankford. Such measures would bolster both family growth and philanthropy, reinforcing the vital nonprofit sector that underpins robust families and communities. Until such broader reforms materialize, the bipartisan legislation recently passed by the House represents an essential interim step. The Senate is now urged to act swiftly in passing this measure.