PARENTS of kids under 13 may be receiving $1,000 stimulus checks per month if Congress moves forward with a new annual tax cut.
As families across the country wait to see if Congress will send out another stimulus check, some lawmakers are floating their own versions of family relief.
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Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri suggested creating a Parent Tax Credit that would grant a tax cut up to $12,000 per year. He said he hopes the potential law would help young working people start families.
“Millions of working people want to start a family and would like to care for their children at home, but current policies do not respect these preferences,” Hawley said.
Hawley believes his program, available to those with a child under the age of 13, would provide “historic relief” to families who would prefer to have one parent stay home with the children.
“Current federal childcare programs and policies force both parents into the labor market and require children be enrolled in formal commercial childcare,” a press release from Hawley’s office reads.
The bill seems to be a counterargument to President Joe Biden’s American Families Plan, which would expand federal funding for childcare, specifically universal preschool.
Hawley says his plan would give more flexibility to those who don’t want to send their kids to daycare.
This credit would be accessible to married and single-parent families, with a specific marriage bonus included, and it would allow for families to decide whether one or both parents should work full-time.
Similar to a guaranteed income, Hawley’s proposed credits would arrive on a monthly basis or as one annual lump sum.
While it remains to be seen if Hawley’s bill gains traction, there are other stimulus bills that could deliver comparable benefits to families.
Biden’s most recent stimulus package included a child tax credit of $300 monthly, culminating in $3,600 for each child ages five and under and $3,000 for those aged six to 17.
Others are calling for recurring stimulus checks every month until the pandemic ends.
While some are vying for a fourth stimulus check, the White House has said that will have to be Congress’ choice.
