U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) recently proposed bipartisan, bicameral legislation to allow American families the option of advancing up to $5,000 of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) to help fund unpaid time off, infant care and other costs associated with a newborn or adopted child.
“The first year of a child’s life is the most expensive,” Sen. Cassidy said. “This bill achieves our goal of helping working families better provide for their child in the way that best works for their family.”
The Advancing Support for Working Families Act, S. 2976/H.R. 5296, also would let families choose to advance the CTC without missing work or using a state’s or employer’s family-medical leave policy to pay for other expenses, according to a summary of the bill provided by the lawmakers.
Sen. Cassidy on Dec. 4 sponsored S. 2976 with lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and cosponsors U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and John Hoeven (R-ND).
Rep. Stefanik on Dec. 4 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of H.R. 5296, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX).
“This bipartisan effort to support hardworking families in the first year after birth or adoption will prove critical to ensuring families can thrive without the burden of potential bankruptcy or debt,” said Rep. Stefanik, who noted that the bill “will bring tangible benefits and enhance paid leave options for the hardworking families in the North Country.”
If enacted, the measure also would permit teleworkers the option to access child care benefits and to continue working from home while they take care of a new child, among several provisions, according to the bill summary, and would allow low-income earners who do not qualify for the full refundable portion of the CTC to receive a benefit adjusted to 100 percent wage replacement over 12 weeks of work.
“The joy of starting a family should not be dampened by the fear of being unable to make ends meet if a parent takes time off work,” Rep. Stefanik added.