FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2024
Contact: Jessica Felix Romero | jromero@sojo.net

Sojourners Applauds House Passage of the Wyden-Smith Child Tax Plan

Washington, D.C.—In response to the House passage of the bipartisan Wyden-Smith tax deal, Sojourners President Rev. Adam Russell Taylor said:

“Sojourners and SojoAction applaud passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Wyden-Smith tax deal, that included a necessary enhancement to the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Last night’s vote echoes Romans 13, in which the Apostle Paul writes that government is entrusted to restrain evil and promote the common good. It is hard to think of a policy that advances the common good more than helping to ensure that every child is cared for and can realize their full potential than the Child Tax Credit.
The House showed that bipartisan legislation to promote the common good is still possible. And equally hard to remember: People with different ideological goals— including both conservative and progressive Christians—can work together to make good legislation happen that benefits those in our society living in vulnerable situations, especially children. While the current Child Tax Credit proposal falls short of the full need, we also recognize this important window of opportunity to make meaningful progress towards ending child poverty and are grateful that vast majority of House Members answered the call to serve the American people.”

Sojourners urges the Senate to pass this critical bill. We are living in a time where the rate of child poverty more than doubled in 2022 and continues to grow, as families struggle to afford the resources needed to ensure their children thrive. As Christians, we believe parents are key in providing what their kids need to thrive, but we also know this sacred responsibility doesn’t solely fall on parents. As Proverbs 3:27 tells us, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act.” In a time when so many are just making it through their day-to-day, it is time that our elected representatives do not withhold the Child Tax Credit from families and children in need.

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Sojourners, a faith-inspired nonprofit, articulates the biblical call to social justice through its magazine and digital publication and convenes, equips, and mobilizes people to put their faith into action.