Target: Chuck Grassley, U.S. Senator
Goal: Support bill that would expand child tax credits and provide financial support for low-income children.
Over 11 million American children (about 16 percent of the youth population) live in poverty. In a twisted irony, many of the initiatives designed to help low-income populations are not available to the families who need them most. For example, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) prohibits families with little to no income from securing the desperately needed funds. As a result, many children living below the poverty line lose out. A proposed revision to the CTC could change this narrative and help uplift millions more children…if politicians get out of the way.
The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act would gradually raise the amount of available tax credits a family can acquire for qualifying children. In addition, it would repeal the caveat that a family can only secure the credit if annual household income is above $2,500. A similar revision (since expired) created during the pandemic helped raised roughly four million children out of poverty. If passed, this bill would add three million-plus children (and their families) to tax credit qualifications. And about half a million children would be boosted above the poverty line as a result.
While this important bill passed the House of Representatives in an overwhelming bipartisan vote, some senators are potentially dooming its passage in the Senate (where 60 votes are needed). What is the obstructionist motivation for at least a few of these senators?…pure politics. Senator Chuck Grassley reportedly lamented that “passing a tax bill that makes the president look good mailing out checks before the election means he could be reelected.”
Sign the petition below to demand these so-called leaders put their most vulnerable constituents before cynical political games.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Senator Grassley,
A full 16 percent of children in this nation live in poverty. They did not ask for these circumstances nor create them, but they are paying the price. Do you really want to make them pay an even higher price simply to score a few cheap political points? The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act could make a world of difference for millions of young people and change the course of their lives. This outcome is far more important than worrying about “making the president”—or any politician—“look good.”
If you are so concerned about appearances, think of how literally taking clothing and food away from poor children will look to your constituents. Put them first and do not stand in the way of helping them grow and thrive. Remember your real oath, and encourage your colleagues to do the same.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Mehmet Turgut Kirgozk
We search for criminals when all the while they are you! The GOP has taken away women’s rights to decide about their own bodies. Attempts are being made to take the pill away and then stop all pregnancy protection for women. Many rape incidents have been committed and escalated in states where abortion is illegal. Men can tell on women attempting to get abortions, can have visitation rights to the child born from a rape. This is too much for society to carry. Men found to be involved in this manner must have their penis surgically removed. Harsh? Women are forced to be single mothers, raise a child, educate a child, and bear full responsibility for that child. Once the man has been surgically attended to the woman won’t mind so much!
Wrong petition.