Burgum supports increased child tax credit in GOP’s family-focused agenda.
Presidential hopeful Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) Supports Expanding Child Tax Credit
Presidential hopeful Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) is throwing his support behind the expansion of the child tax credit, a position that is gaining popularity among Republicans who prioritize family support. In an interview with the Washington Examiner, the 67-year-old governor expressed his willingness to back a larger federal child tax credit with work requirements, aligning himself with GOP supporters like Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mitt Romney (R-UT).
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Republicans have long debated the child tax credit, with supply-siders clashing with more populist, family-focused lawmakers. However, there has been a recent shift among lawmakers and GOP candidates to emphasize family support, including direct financial assistance.
Burgum also stressed the importance of accessible, high-quality, and affordable child care for parents. He highlighted North Dakota’s young and rapidly growing population and revealed that as governor, he signed a multi-million-dollar package into law to support child care services in the state.
While the funds are primarily directed towards child care, Burgum emphasized that they indirectly address barriers to workforce participation. One provision of the legislation allocated $22 million to expand North Dakota’s Child Care Assistance Program, which assists working families with the cost of child care.
“We know when there is economic opportunity that’s great for families and it’s great for whether one parent wants to work, or two parents want to work. We’ve got to make sure that everybody that wants to work has an opportunity to do that and that we’ve got affordability, quality, and accessibility in child care, even in the rural areas of our country.”
The current child tax credit has been in place for years, with the current amount set at $2,000 for minors since its doubling in 2017. However, as part of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 relief legislation, the child tax credit was temporarily increased. This raised the credit to $3,600 for children under 6 and $3,000 for older children, with the notable change of removing the income threshold for eligibility.
Republicans largely opposed the temporary expansion due to the absence of work requirements, equating it to welfare without work. However, some Republicans, including Rubio and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), proposed their own versions of a tax credit expansion that includes work requirements.
Another proposal by Sen. Mitt Romney, supported by Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Steve Daines (R-MT), aims to raise the credit amount and make it available to lower-income individuals, allowing families to receive the full credit once their income reaches just $10,000.
The growing support within the GOP for expanding the child tax credit reflects a broader shift towards more populist policies. Some members of Congress seek to reshape the GOP as the party of the working class and blue-collar America.
While there may be differences within the GOP regarding family support policies and trade policy, there is relative agreement on the effectiveness of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, commonly known as the Trump or Republican tax cuts.
A top priority for all 2024 candidates is extending the expiring provisions of the law, and Burgum has pledged to continue supporting the 2017 tax cuts if elected president.
“I was a strong supporter when they came out and those should absolutely go forward.”
For more information, click here to read more from the Washington Examiner.
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