New Democrat Coalition chair: Senate should pass bill before expanded child tax credit expires

Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), chair of the centrist New Democrat Coalition, on Monday urged the Senate to pass President Biden's social spending and climate package before the monthly child tax credit payments expire at the end of the year.

"Our members stood united in passing the Build Back Better Act last month and now it is time for the Senate to act before the expanded Child Tax Credit payments expire at the end of December," DelBene said in a statement. "American families cannot afford to lose this critical middle-class tax cut, which has cut child poverty in half and helped millions of families afford childcare, pay their bills, and put food on the table."

The coronavirus relief law that Biden enacted in March expanded the child tax credit for 2021. As part of the expansion, the Treasury Department and IRS started in July sending eligible families monthly payments of up to $300 for each child under age 6 and up to $250 for each child ages 6 to 17.

The monthly payments are set to end in December without further action from Congress. The last monthly payment is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Democrats are planning to include a one-year extension of the monthly payments in their social-spending package. Democrats also intend in the legislation to make the child tax credit permanently fully available to the lowest income households. The House passed a version of the bill last month, and Senate Democrats are aiming to pass their version of the legislation by Christmas.

"This holiday season our constituents want results, and New Dems are ready to deliver," DelBene said. "Congress must finish the job and advance the Build Back Better Act to President Biden's desk so American families, workers, and communities have the opportunity to succeed in the New Year."