Salud Ortiz Carbajal: “I was proud to vote for the American Rescue Plan because I knew it was the transformational investment we needed to get…”

“I was proud to vote for the American Rescue Plan because I knew it was the transformational investment we needed to get the pandemic under control and our economy back on track. Two months later, it is clear the investment has paid off. We have gotten more shots in arms, lifted families out of poverty, helped children get back to school, helped businesses stay open, and helped workers keep their jobs. And we are just getting started. Much of the vital support for workers and families included in the American Rescue Plan is still underway. One of these measures is the expansion of the child tax credit, a historic investment in the future of our country. It has become harder and harder to afford a college education, a home, and childcare. {time} 1045 As the cost of living continues to soar and wages continue to stagnate, the American Dream is slipping out of reach for many working families. We need to level the playing field so every child has the opportunity to fulfill their potential. The child tax credit expansion means working-class families will get $300 per child under 6, and $250 per child for children aged 7-17. $300 a month helps put food on the table so kids do not go hungry. It helps pay for child care so parents can get back to work and build a better life for their families. And it helps cover healthcare expenses so children stay healthy. This lifeline benefits a whopping 85 percent of the children in my district on the central coast of California.…”