Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has unveiled her plan to expand the child tax credit, with a particular focus on providing financial support for families with newborn babies. Her proposal, which includes restoring the expanded credit from the American Rescue Act, aims to alleviate childhood poverty and has support from both Democrats and Republicans. However, previous attempts to increase the credit have not been successful, making this a key issue in the upcoming election.
Expanding the Child Tax Credit: Kamala Harris's Proposal and the Road Ahead
Background:
Childhood poverty remains a persistent problem in the United States, affecting millions of families. The child tax credit (CTC) is a refundable tax credit that aims to reduce poverty and provide financial support for families with children. In 2021, the American Rescue Act temporarily expanded the CTC, increasing the maximum credit amount and making the credit fully refundable for more families.
Kamala Harris's Proposal:
Senator Kamala Harris has proposed a plan to make the expanded CTC permanent. Her proposal includes:
Support and Challenges:
Harris's proposal has received bipartisan support, with both Democrats and Republicans expressing interest in expanding the CTC. However, previous attempts to increase the credit have faced challenges. In 2021, the Build Back Better Act, which included a CTC expansion, failed to pass the Senate.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. What is the current status of the child tax credit?
The expanded CTC from the American Rescue Act has expired. Harris's proposal aims to make the expanded credit permanent.
2. How many families would benefit from an expanded CTC?
An expanded CTC could benefit millions of families, reducing childhood poverty and providing financial support for parents.
3. What are the arguments for and against expanding the CTC?
Proponents argue that an expanded CTC would reduce poverty, improve child outcomes, and stimulate the economy. Opponents argue that it is too costly and may discourage people from working.
4. What are the chances of an expanded CTC being approved in the future?
The future of the CTC expansion is uncertain, as it faces bipartisan support but has also faced challenges in the past.
5. What can families do to advocate for an expanded CTC?
Families can contact their elected officials, join advocacy groups, and spread awareness about the importance of the CTC to support efforts to expand the credit.
In a historical development, the Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Pakistan to attend the SCO Summit 2024. This marked the first visit by an Indian EAM to Pakistan in nearly a decade, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation and dialogue. During his visit, Jaishankar addressed critical issues, including the fight against terrorism and extremism, while urging member states to adopt a firm stance against these issues. He also expressed gratitude to the Pakistani government for their hospitality, emphasizing the significance of dialogue in promoting regional cooperation. This visit could potentially open up avenues for future collaborations and improved relations between the two countries.
In a communication to the Union government, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Chandrachud formally proposed Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor. Upon approval by the government, Justice Khanna will become the 51st Chief Justice of India, serving a six-month tenure before his retirement in 2025. This follows the convention where the retiring CJI nominates the second-most senior judge as their successor, which is then approved by the government.
Former Karnataka Minister B. Nagendra has been granted conditional bail by the Special Court for MLAs/MPs in Bengaluru after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Valmiki Tribal Welfare Board scam case. Nagendra has alleged that the ED harassed him during his three-month custody, and claims that the BJP is behind the conspiracy to destabilise elected governments. He also denies any involvement in the scam and maintains that the SIT found no evidence against him. Despite the delay in completing technical formalities, Nagendra has been released from the Bengaluru Central Prison and vows to ensure BJP's defeat in the upcoming Assembly bypolls.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has selected S Arunkumar Namboothiri and Vasudevan Namboothiri as the new chief priests of Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples, respectively. The selection was made through a draw of lots from a panel of 24 shortlisted priests. Rishikesh Varma and M Vaishnavi of the Pandalam royal family oversaw the selection process in the presence of various officials. Don't miss out on the latest news on the go with Manorama Online App. © Copyright 2024 Onmanorama, All Rights Reserved.
Thanks to the Praja Darbar (public court) initiative undertaken by Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh in Vijayawada, a 14-day-old infant from a tribal community was able to receive life-saving treatment. The parents of the baby boy expressed their gratitude to the minister for providing financial aid through the CM's Relief Fund when they came to the public event seeking medical assistance. During Wednesday’s Public Court, Lokesh also addressed various grievances from the public and promised to take action on issues such as stopping of social security pensions and encroachments in Vijayawada.
After heavy rains in Chennai, Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, distributed food and relief materials to affected areas and oversaw relief work in various parts of the city. He assured that floodwaters have receded in areas under the Greater Chennai Corporation and refuted Opposition leader, Edappadi K. Palaniswami's demand for a white paper on the government's measures. Udhayanidhi praised the coordination of officials and also visited the Chembarambakkam lake to review the water level and instructed continuous monitoring.
In a series of false bomb threats to Indian airlines, a teenager, his father, and another person were issued a notice by the Mumbai police to join questioning. The threats, which were posted on social media platform X, targeted three international flights originating from Mumbai. Following investigations, the connection to these threats was traced to Rajnandgaon, and the authorities have taken legal action to prevent further misuse and ensure the safety of passengers and airport operations.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before a public inquiry into foreign interference in federal electoral processes and democratic institutions, where he accused the Indian government of interfering in Canada's safety and sovereignty. He mentioned that there was only intelligence, but no hard evidence, to support the claims of Indian government agents being involved in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. Trudeau also stated that the Indian response to these allegations was to double down on attacks against his government and arbitrarily eject Canadian diplomats from India.
The Congress government in India has recently drawn criticism for its decision to withdraw all cases related to the 2022 violence in Hubballi. The incident, which involved clashes between a young man and a Muslim community in the area, had resulted in multiple arrests and charges under terror-related acts. However, after a change in government in 2023, the Siddaramaiah administration has decided to withdraw these cases, sparking debate and controversy. While some defend the government's decision, others express concerns about setting a dangerous precedent.
Badruddin Ajmal, All India United Democratic Front Chief has stirred a political controversy by claiming that the new Parliament building may have been constructed on Waqf land. He has called for an investigation into the matter and expressed disapproval over the Waqf Bill, highlighting that all secular political parties have boycotted the Joint Parliamentary Committee formed to review the bill. Ajmal has announced that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind will conduct a survey of Waqf Board lands in Assam to challenge the bill.