U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) have introduced the Stronger Start for Working Families Act, a bipartisan bill designed to expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC) for working families. The proposed legislation would allow nearly 3.5 million families with children to access the full CTC starting with their first dollar of earned income, rather than after surpassing the current $2,500 threshold.
Senator Young stated, “The Child Tax Credit is one of our most effective tools for helping working families make ends meet and ensuring children have the stability they need to thrive. By starting refundability at the very first dollar earned, our bill will expand access to the Child Tax Credit for low-income parents while strengthening the incentive to enter or remain in the workforce. This is a practical, bipartisan step we can take to support families, reward work, and help more Americans climb the economic ladder.”
Senator Hassan added, “Families across New Hampshire and the country are working hard to provide for their children, but too many are struggling with rising costs for essentials like groceries, child care, and utilities. The Child Tax Credit supports parents in raising the next generation, but right now, many hard-working families are not able to access the full tax cut because they don’t get paid enough at work. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense bill that will help working families make ends meet and build a stronger future for their kids.”
Currently, millions of working families do not receive the full value of the CTC due to insufficient income levels under existing law. The new act aims to address this by making refundable benefits available from a family’s first dollar of earnings.
Several organizations have endorsed this legislation, including Prosperity Indiana; America Forward; American Compass; BPC Action; Bread for the World; Local Initiatives Support Corporation; Niskanen Center; R Street Institute; RESULTS; Third Way; Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute; and United Way of Central Indiana.
Aspen Clemons, Executive Director of Prosperity Indiana said: “Across the country, working families are feeling financial strain as costs continue to rise. We hear stories from families, and the organizations that serve them, about choosing between groceries and a filled prescription, keeping their houses cold in the winter to keep skyrocketing energy bills down, choosing overtime when they want to go back to school, and sometimes making these tough calls and still not having enough to pay their bills. We support the Stronger Start for Working Families Act as it responds to the needs of Hoosier families who want to give their children what they need to grow up healthy, focus on their education, and prepare for their futures.”
Chris Griswold from American Compass commented: “Middle class security is out of reach for far too many American families. Senators Hassan and Young understand that putting the American dream within reach will require both getting more support to working families, and making sure their work is rewarded. The pro-family, pro-work Stronger Start for Working Families Act advances both principles, by making sure the Child Tax Credit benefits families starting with the first dollar they earn.”
Michele Stockwell from BPC Action added: “BPC Action applauds Sens. Hassan and Young for leading the Stronger Start for Working Families Act, which allows families with the most need to access a larger Child Tax Credit sooner while maintaining a strong incentive for parents to work,” said Michele Stockwell, President of BPC Action. “This bill signals a pragmatic pro-family reform that will improve economic security and well-being for millions.”
Senator Todd Young has represented Indiana in the U.S. Senate since 2017 where he serves on several committees including Finance; Commerce Science & Transportation; Small Business & Entrepreneurship; as well as Intelligence (official website). His legislative record includes supporting measures focused on national security issues such as semiconductor manufacturing through acts like CHIPS (official website). He also addresses topics such as economic development initiatives affecting housing affordability or veterans’ support services (official website).
The full text of this legislation is available online.
