Braley Joins Cedar Rapids Group to Continue Push to Restore Child Tax Credit

Press Release

Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today teamed up with Horizons Family Services in Cedar Rapids to voice his concerns about increasing childcare costs facing Iowa families and his effort to reduce their tax burden by restoring the Child Tax Credit.

"Groups like Horizons understand how important it is that we have policies that are working for middle class Iowans ," Braley said. "Restoring the Child Tax Credit would help the 400,000 Iowa families who already depend on it and put more money back into communities like Cedar Rapids."

Braley was joined by Horizons President Karl Cassell, who also spoke in favor of the importance of the Child Tax Credit, as well as the services Horizons offers in the Cedar Rapids region.

In 2001, Congress increased the Child Tax Credit from $500 to $1,000 to provide additional tax relief for America's working families who were struggling with the increased cost of education and child care. However, over the past 13 years, inflation has significantly decreased the value of the credit.

Braley recently introduced the The Child Tax Credit Restoration Act which would increase the value of the tax credit to $2,000, restoring its value and lowering the tax burden for Iowa families. Eligible families would be able to claim a refund for each child.

Since 2011, nearly 45 million American families have benefited from the Child Tax Credit, including over 400,000 Iowa families. Additionally, in 2012 the Child Tax Credit kept 3 million people, including 1.6 million children, out of poverty.

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