Dec. 15 marked the last day that monthly Child Tax Credit payments were sent out to the families of 155,000 Alaska kids. These monthly checks have been critical for Alaska families — 91% of Alaskan families reporting using these credit payments to pay for their basic needs, like food, shelter, clothing, and utilities. Before the Child Tax Credit was improved in 2021, 53,000 of those Alaska kids were ineligible for the full credit due low or no family earnings!
Thankfully, the House passed the Build Back Better Act in November to extend the new Child Tax Credit payments that have lifted nearly 4 million children out of poverty across the country this year. Unfortunately, though, the legislation is stalled in the Senate. If the Senate does not pass BBB this year, millions of U.S. children — including thousands of Alaskans — risk of falling into or deeper into poverty in 2022. Senators cannot let that happen.
There is too much on the line for Congress to fail. And the clock is ticking. I call on our U.S. senators to stand with Alaska families and work with Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act now.
— Sarah Buckingham
Eagle River
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