Leaders in Congress have been grappling over the details of the federal $3.5 trillion economic recovery package known as the Build Back Better (BBB) agenda from the Biden-Harris Administration. Though AOF doesn’t usually dive deeply into federal legislation, a number of provisions in this bill have the potential to have a real, meaningful impact for the vulnerable populations we serve including children and low-income working adults.
As negotiations continue into next week, it is critical that you reach out to your U.S. Representatives Senators and ask that they do all they can to ensure the final Build Back Better package includes priorities that will make a difference for you, your family and your community.
AOF and our partner organizations are pushing for the policies below to be included in the final bill and approved by Congress:
Child Tax Credit (CTC)- Benefits children by making the full CTC permanently available to children in families with the lowest incomes. The expansion in the Child Tax Credit would result in a significant reduction in poverty, reducing the number of children with incomes below the poverty line by more than 40 percent.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)- Benefits working adults without children by permanently extending the EITC expansion from the American Rescue Plan. This expansion would boost the income of more than 17 million working adults without children who do important work for low pay.
Medicaid Coverage Gap and Health Premium Tax Credits- Reduces marketplace premiums for older people above 400% of poverty.
Housing Vouchers- Funds as many as 750,000 new Housing Choice Vouchers to help people with low incomes afford stable housing.
Child Nutrition- Pandemic EBT benefits would be extended under Build Back Better to help families afford groceries in the summer.
Paid Leave- Creates a universal paid family and medical leave program that would guarantee 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave annually to all workers in the U.S., including those working for private employers, state, local, and federal governments, as well as self-employed and gig workers.
Child Care- Includes two investments in early care and education: 1) two years of universal preschool and 2) a sliding scale limit on child care costs for families. The Center for American Progress estimates this provision would save Ohio families close to $100 per week in child care costs.
We know a lot can change over the coming days as decisions are made. We believe approving the proposed permanent investments in the above relief and work support programs is the best way to support Ohio families as they continue to work to recover in the months and years to come.