Children in the Economic Recovery Package
Versions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have been approved by the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. The legislation passed by the House of Representatives includes $156.7 billion in tax provisions and spending specifically for children and their families. Unfortunately, the legislation passed by the Senate falls far short of that which passed the House. In fact, the investment in children in the Senate’s version is a full $50 billion below that of the House’s version. That amounts to a 33% difference.
First Focus was disappointed to see that the deal reached in the Senate was largely on the backs of America’s children. Programs and tax policies benefitting America’s children and families must be strengthened as the House and Senate work to reconcile the differences between their respective versions of the legislation. Indeed, conferees to this legislation must place a higher priority on our nation’s future.
Side-By-Side Analysis:
First Focus has compiled a side-by-side comparison of the child-related provisions in the House and Senate versions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Click here to download a copy of the side-by-side.
Latest Press Releases:
• Senate Passes Stimulus on Backs of Children• Senate Stimulus Cuts Fall Heavily on Kids
ADDITIONAL FIRST FOCUS RESOURCES RELATED TO THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY PACKAGE:
Child-Related Tax Provisions:
Approximately one-third of the money contained in the economic recovery package comes in the form of tax provisions. First Focus has advocated for the inclusion of the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit in the stimulus package.
• Child Tax Credit Ad. This ad, created by First Focus, urges Congress to improve the Child Tax Credit. The ad ran in Capitol Hill newspapers on January 27, 2009.
• Fact Sheet: Working Towards a Child-Friendly Tax Code
• Report: The Child Tax Credit Gap
Foster Care & Adoption Assistance:
First Focus led an effort, in partnership with over 115 federal and state advocacy organizations, to call on Congress to temporarily increase federal payments for Foster Care & Adoption Assistance as part of the economic recovery package.
• Sign-On Letter. Signed by over 115 organizations urging Congress to temporarily increase federal payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance.
• Report. Addressing the Needs of Vulnerable Children During and Economic Crisis
• Press Release: Over 100 Organizations Call for Increases to Federal Foster Care and Adoption Assistance
Housing and Homelessness:
The foreclosure crisis and economic downturn are causing an increase in homelessness that is going largely unnoticed by policymakers. First Focus research estimates that 2 million children will be directly impacted by the foreclosure crisis. Additionally, a new First Focus report has found that at least 330 school districts have enrolled more homeless students in the first two-to-three months of this school year than during the entire previous school year
• Report: The Economic Crisis Hits Home: The Unfolding Increase in Child & Youth Homelessness
• Report: The Impact of the Mortgage Crisis on Children
