Casten Calls for Re-Implementation of Child Tax Credit to Address Rising Child Poverty
Washington, D.C. — Following the release of data by the U.S. Census Bureau indicating a rise in child poverty, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) has issued the following statement calling on Congress to reinstate the Child Tax Credit:
“When I fought to include the expanded Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan in 2021, I did so with a singular goal in mind: to reduce child poverty in the United States. I’m incredibly proud of the fact that child poverty declined in 2021, but we have to reckon with the reality that, following the expiration of the expanded Child Tax Credit, child poverty skyrocketed in 2022.
“The data makes it clear that implementing a permanent expansion of the Child Tax Credit is an effective way to reduce child poverty. I urge Congress to immediately consider the American Family Act, which would do just that.”
In 2021, following the passage of the expanded Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan, child poverty in the United States declined to 5.2%. Following the expiration of the Child Tax Credit in 2022, child poverty rose to over 12%.
Congressman Casten is a co-sponsor of the American Family Act, which would permanently expand the Child Tax Credit.
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