WASHINGTON – First Focus, a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions–issued the following statement today on President Trump’s proposed child care tax credit plan.

Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus, said:

“Increasing the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) and making it refundable is a step in the right direction toward helping low-income families. This credit is an important way to help families offset the costs of childcare while the adults in the family are working or going to school.

But to truly make a difference in the lives of America’s poorest children, the administration should also boost funding for direct child care assistance to the millions of parents struggling to pay for quality care while they work.

We look forward to working with the White House and Congressional leaders to build upon this proposal. Moving forward, we urge them to make sure the net effect of any tax plan does not result in loss of income for poor families or reduced spending on programs and resources that are vital to healthy child development.”

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First Focus is a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions. For more information, visit www.firstfocus.org.