On the recordMarch 5, 2021
I rise in opposition to this amendment. Colleagues, the underlying bill has significant improvements in the child tax credit. All told, the bill cuts child poverty in half. But this amendment would set us back. True, it expands the child credit in some ways, but to pay for these expansions, it dramatically cuts back on what is known as refundability. Here is the problem, colleagues: Refundability is what helps the families at the lower end of the income scale. So to expand the child tax credit in several ways, the Lee amendment reduces benefits to the working families who need them most. I want to close by way of saying that I will be glad to work with my colleague from Utah and the Senator from Florida. I would also note that the other Senator from Utah has been interested in these issues. This amendment sets us back because it reduces benefits to working families who need them most. I yield back. Vote on Amendment No. 1381
