Ending Childhood Hunger with the Child Tax Credit

Passed in 1997, The Child Tax Credit, known as the CTC, provides an end of year tax credit to families with children under 16. In March 2021, as part of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package, the American Rescue Plan, the CTC saw its largest ever increase — making the credit available for children 17 and under, increasing the amount per child ages 6-17 from $2,000 to $3,000 and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under six, and changing it to a monthly payment instead of annual lump sum. Experts estimate these changes could lift as many as 5 million kids out of poverty.

In this first episode of a series on the CTC, Add Passion and Stir welcomes Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), and other thought leaders in a conversation about the origin and evolution of this legislation. What was the original concept? How has it worked and not worked? How did the CTC’s expansion come to pass? And how are broader policy changes, such as an historic 25% increase to monthly SNAP benefits, working together to fight hunger and poverty in America.

Episode Guests:

- Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) who has worked to end food insecurity since joining Congress in 1997

- Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) who, since 2003, has pushed for an increase in the amount provided by the CTC

- Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) an anti-poverty champion and author of the American Family Act of 2019 which advocated for monthly, refundable tax credit for families

- Monica Gonzales, Director of Federal Advocacy at Share Our Strength

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