For Immediate Release: January 18, 2024
WASHINGTON D.C.—In advance of consideration of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) proposal, UUSJ Executive Director Pablo DeJesús said:
“Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice views child poverty in the United States as a travesty, a moral failure of our public discourse and mutual care. Our nation is among the most wealthy in the world and throughout history. Our children should not live in poverty. We appreciate the Child Tax Credit (CTC) proposal by Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith. We urge Congress to pass the bipartisan agreement, the bill, without delay.
“For Unitarian Universalists, we approach the matter of child poverty from our faith. We cherish the inherent worth and dignity of all persons. We believe most Americans consider the youth an embodiment of the aspirations of our society, and therefore worth special consideration. We envision a future where all families, particularly the children among them, have the resources needed to thrive and live to their full potential as members of our communities.
“The proposal put forward will help make progress toward ending child poverty by providing benefits to nearly 16 million kids currently excluded from full CTC benefits, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. More than one in five children will benefit from this proposal. Among those, about one in three Black, Latino, and Native American children, currently cannot access the credit but will benefit if Congress passes the bill. Children should not be deprived of full benefits simply because their families make too little money.
“At a time when the Census Bureau reports the child poverty rate more than doubled from 2021 to 2022, we would have liked to see stronger progress to end child poverty, but this proposal starts us in a better direction, one more responsive to the conditions children in poverty currently face.
“Congress should act fast to pass this bipartisan measure, it could benefit more low-income kids than any other measure this Session.”