WASHINGTON — The Democratic-led Senate is set to hold a key test vote on Thursday regarding a bipartisan bill aimed at expanding the child tax credit and offering tax breaks for businesses. However, it's uncertain whether Democrats have enough Republican support to overcome a filibuster and advance the bill towards a final vote, as many GOP senators oppose it.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., expressed frustration, stating, “This should be a no-brainer. Right now, the only ones standing in the way are Senate Republicans. Everyone else, even House Republicans, is for this.”
The bill, which would provide significant financial assistance to households with multiple children, comes at a time when Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, the GOP vice presidential nominee, faces criticism over past comments disparaging women who choose not to have children. Vance is scheduled to visit the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona on Thursday and is expected to miss the vote, with his office not disclosing how he would vote if present.
In response to Vance's remarks labeling Democrats as “anti-family,” Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who helped negotiate the bill with House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo., commented, “There’s a lot of weird stuff going on here.”
Democrats are framing the vote as a direct response to Vance’s criticism, with Schumer asserting that most Republicans will vote against the bill despite their professed concern for families. The vote will be the last one before the Senate adjourns for its August recess, returning on Sept. 9. The House passed the child tax credit bill in January.
The Senate is set to vote Thursday on a bipartisan bill to expand the child tax credit and offer business tax breaks, but it faces significant opposition from Senate Republicans. Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, the ranking member of the Finance Committee and a key figure in GOP leadership, has criticized the bill as inadequately funded and lacking necessary conditions on the child tax credit.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has also voiced strong opposition, stating, “They’ve lost me on the pay-for. The child tax credit doesn’t have any of the basic requirements that we would want. It needs to go back in the oven and come out with our tax reform next year.” Tillis has been actively rallying fellow Republicans against the bill, distributing pamphlets at a Senate GOP lunch meeting that read: “WYDEN-SMITH IS NOT THE TAX DEAL WE ARE LOOKING FOR.”
The bill, negotiated by Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo., passed the House with a strong majority of 357-70. It aims to expand child tax credits, raise the refundability ceiling from $1,600, and adjust benefits for inflation, targeting support primarily at low-income, multi-child households. Additionally, it includes business tax breaks for research and development and small-business expensing, which helped garner GOP support in the House
As the Senate prepares for a crucial vote on a bipartisan bill to expand the child tax credit and offer business tax breaks, the debate among Republicans is heating up.
Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri has expressed support for the bill, emphasizing that Republicans should support measures that assist families. He also criticized comments made by other Republicans, such as Sen. JD Vance, suggesting that the GOP should avoid disparaging women without children.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska remains undecided but voiced frustration over Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s refusal to commit to allowing amendments. “I just don’t think that we’re giving serious focus to when you bring it up as the last vote. I’m assuming it’s going to be the last vote before we go on break. So that’s frustrating,” Murkowski said.
On the Democratic side, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, who is considered a potential vice presidential candidate for Kamala Harris, has sharply criticized Vance’s remarks. Kelly called Vance’s comments “obnoxious” and “just wrong,” and condemned Vance’s suggestion that parents should have more voting power than those without children. “It doesn’t surprise me that he is not in favor of helping families that actually need help,” Kelly added, likening Vance’s stance to that of Donald Trump, who he accused of favoring the wealthy and big corporations.
Vance’s team responded forcefully to Kelly’s comments. Spokesperson William Martin said, “Before he started desperately trying out to be Kamala’s VP pick, little Mark Kelly sang a completely different tune about Senator Vance. He introduced legislation with him and said their work together would bring ‘good-paying jobs’ to every corner of every state. It will be enjoyable to watch this fraud get passed up for one of the half-rate Governors on Kamala’s shortlist.