Representatives toured the food pantry and met with staff, families supported by the Child Tax Credit
CAMBRIDGE, MA – Today, Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-05) and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) toured the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC) to highlight the federal funding that has helped to reduce food insecurity, including the historic monthly Child Tax Credit payments.
“Today, we heard about the families who come here to feed their families, find affordable housing, and sign up for the Child Tax Credit, which is the largest tax cut for working families in our nation’s history. Since July, the families of 61 million children in America have been receiving the child tax credit payments – including over 72,000 families in my district who, in total, have received $145 million,” said Assistant Speaker Clark. “Policies like the Child Tax Credit put American families front and center in Washington – where they belong. With these investments, our economy is turning a corner, but our work isn’t done until every child, every worker and every family has the resources they need to not just survive but to thrive.”
“Today’s visit only reinforces our commitment and the urgency and need for us to advance the Build Back Better agenda. Each day that passes without it being signed into law, our most vulnerable communities are left hurting,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “Today we heard from families about the incredible impact the Child Tax Credit has had in helping them weather this pandemic and make ends meet. The pandemic is not over, and families continue to struggle. We have to meet their needs and meet this moment accordingly. We have to legislate accordingly. We have to advance budgets and policies that go as far and as deep as the hurt. These payments have been game changers and failure is not an option.”
CEOC offers free tax preparation to people with low or moderate incomes, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need help in preparing their own tax returns, including getting this critical tax cut.
In March, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, which provided the largest Child Tax Credit for working families in history. The American Rescue Plan increased the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children over the age of six and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under the age of six, and raised the age limit from 16 to 17. The last payment under the American Rescue Plan was sent to families on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.
The Build Back Better Act would extend the enhanced CTC into 2022. If it’s not passed by the Senate and sent to the President’s desk before the end of the month, these extensions will expire, and families will stop receiving this vital tax cut.
Photos of today’s event can be found HERE. Video of the press conference following the tour can be found HERE.
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