Voters overwhelmingly favor the legislation, poll says

In response to today’s reintroduction of the American Family Act by Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY), First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley issued the following statement: 

“First Focus Campaign for Children applauds Reps. DeLauro, DelBene and Torres for continuing to fight for children. Today’s re-introduction of the American Family Act recognizes the singular impact of the expanded Child Tax Credit and the need to permanently improve and extend it, especially to children facing the greatest economic hardship. These Champions for Children have never lost sight of their goal to end child poverty, a goal brought closer by the improved Child Tax Credit. House leadership is about to introduce huge tax breaks for American corporations and the country’s wealthiest individuals. The least they can do is also care for our children by supporting one of the most successful investments ever made in their well-being.”

First Focus Campaign for Children has long supported this legislation. American voters share this support. In a May 2022 survey by Lake Research Partners respondents favored the expanded and improved Child Tax Credit by a 72-21% margin, with 57% voicing “strong” favorability. Parents favor the policy by 77-18%.

American voters are also deeply concerned about child poverty in the United States, a worry that also crosses party lines. At the time of the poll, poverty was 59% higher among U.S. children than adults, and 83% of poll respondents said they found this fact concerning, with 60% saying they are “very concerned.” Even more — 86% — said they were concerned by the cost of child poverty, which runs an estimated $1.1 trillion a year due to higher crime, poor health outcomes and lower income levels when children grow up.  Democrats expressed concern by a 97-3% margin (concerned/not concerned), Independents by 82-16%, and Republicans by 75-19%.


First Focus Campaign for Children is a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions.