In a recent opinion piece for USA Today, Rex Huppke highlighted the lack of support from some Republicans over the recent passing of a bipartisan bill that would allow for the expansion of child tax credits. The columnist raised uncertainty if the bill would actually pass the Senate, citing some Republican lawmakers who believe that any chance of the bill going through before a November election could make the “President look good.”
Bill Could See Taxpayers Benefit as Early as This Year
The bipartisan tax bill, approved by the House of Representatives, aims to extend the child tax credit until 2025. The vote tally stood at 357 in favor and 70 against, with 188 Democrats and a further 169 Republicans supporting the bill, while 23 Democrats and 47 Republicans opposed it. The bill’s fate now rests with the Senate, where its passage grows increasingly uncertain. Should it succeed, taxpayers could see its benefits as soon as this year.
An Effective Tool for Helping Families on Low Incomes
In his opinion piece, Rex Huppke, from USA Today, expressed his surprise that so many Republicans had voted in support of the proposals. “for some inexplicable reason, House Republicans got something done this week,” he wrote. “With the help of Democrats, they voted on a $79 billion tax bill that will expand the child tax credit, a wildly effective tool for helping low-income families.”
Bill to Raise Refundable Limits Increasing to 2025
Huppke further explained that the bill, while not reaching the heightened levels of the pandemic-era child tax credit, the proposed tax legislation seeks to increase the refundable portion. It would elevate it to $1,800 per child in 2023, $1,900 per child in 2024, and $2,000 per child in 2025. Additionally, adjustments for inflation are planned for 2024 and 2025.
Bill Would Help Those Impacted by Natural Disasters
The proposed legislation also aims to extend tax benefits to individuals affected by natural disasters and enhance the low-income housing tax credit. Furthermore, the bill is structured to prolong tax incentives for businesses until 2025.
Employee Retention Tax Would Be Eliminated
The bill would further eliminate the employee retention tax credit to fund the tax breaks in the bipartisan proposal.
MAGA Conservatives in Strong Opposition
However, not all Republicans were supportive of the new bill, with some claiming that the proposed child tax credit would be “doled out to undocumented immigrants,” as reported by USA Today.
Only Children With SSN Would Benefit
However, the article refuted these claims, stating that new proposals would only benefit children with Social Security Numbers, meaning undocumented migrants would have no way to benefit from the changes.
Some Democrats Feel Tax Deal Favors Corporations
Some Democrats, on the other hand, didn’t think the proposals went far enough to help families on low incomes and thought businesses benefited more from the new deal. Rosa DeLauro, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, claimed, “The tax deal fails on equity,” adding, “At a time when a majority of American voters believe tax on big corporations should be increased, there is no reason we should be providing corporations a tax cut while only giving families pennies.”
One-Fifth of US Children Could Benefit From Proposal
Figures from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) indicate that over 20% of children would gain from the proposal in its initial year, potentially lifting 400,000 children out of poverty.
Families Could Stand to Gain Around $1,400
Additionally, the CBPP projects that families eligible to benefit from the proposal would receive at least $630, with 40% of eligible families seeing gains of $1,000 or more. In the initial year, 25% of eligible families with children would see at least $1,400 in gains.
Bipartisan Bill Could Help Poorest Families
Rex Huppke, in his opinion for USA Today, highlighted the return of some corporate tax incentives as “the kind of thing we normally associate with Republicans,” but noted the bipartisan proposal “will directly help some of the country’s poorest families,” declaring that it was “a net good thing.”
Republicans Don’t Want to Help Biden’s Approval Ratings
Huppke also noted the concerns that some Republican lawmakers had raised regarding the bill’s passing. In his opinion, he quoted Texas Republican Troy Nehls in a statement made last month: “Let me tell you, I’m not willing … to help a Democrat and to help Joe Biden’s approval rating. I will not help the Democrats try to improve this man’s dismal approval ratings. I’m not going to do it. Why would I?”
Senate Conservatives Promise to “Knock” the Bill Down “Right Quick”
Huppke wrote that before people “start worrying that GOP lawmakers and others in the extended MAGA universe have come to their senses (HAH!),” there were some Republican Senators “who promise to knock that new legislation down right quick.”
Passing of Bill Could Result in Biden’s Re-Election
Huppke quoted the Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, who had reportedly told his colleagues to slow the bill down and stated, “I think passing a tax bill that makes the President look good – mailing out checks before the election – means he could be re-elected and then we won’t extend the 2017 tax cuts,” according to Huppke’s opinion piece.
It “Might Make Biden Look Good”
Huppke then wrote that, basically, the Republican view on the passing of a bill that would help impoverished children “might make Biden look good.”
If Biden Gets Re-elected, Corporations May Not Get Tax Breaks
Kuppke wrote, “And if that lousy Biden gets reelected, we [Republicans] might not be able to keep giving our most-valued children – sweet, innocent corporations – the tax breaks they so richly deserve.”
Significant Tax Changes Should Be Stalled Until Trump Is President
Kuppke further highlighted a quote from a Republican Senator, Thom Tillis, who “argued that Republicans should hold out for a potential Trump presidency to make major tax policy decisions.” Kuppke quoted a report from Semafor.
Straying From “The Path of Legislative Uselessness”
In his closing paragraphs, Kuppke concluded his opinion piece by declaring, “When a Republican strays from the path of legislative uselessness, there are always several other Republicans there to show the way back.”
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