A major tax package that would bolster the Child Tax Credit and cut taxes for businesses failed to advance in the Senate on Thursday in the face of widespread Republican opposition, despite clearing the House by wide bipartisan margins earlier this year. Known as the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, the legislation would expand the Child Tax Credit to provide relief to lower-income families. Though it’s more modest than a pandemic-era enhancement of the credit, which greatly reduced child poverty and ended in 2021, it could still lift roughly half a million children out of poverty, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The bill also included some revived tax cuts for businesses, like research and development deductions. The legislation fell short in a vote of 48-44, with 60 votes needed to advance the measure. Three Republicans — Senators Josh Hawley (Missouri), Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma) and Rick Scott (Florida) — joined with Democrats in favor of moving forward with the bill. Senators Joe Manchin (West Virginia) and Bernie Sanders (Vermont), independents who caucus with Democrats, were also opposed.
The Senate now stands adjourned for pro forma sessions only with no business conducted on the following dates and times: Friday, August 2 at 12:00 PM, Tuesday, August 6 at 9:30 AM, Friday, August 9 at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 13 at 9:15 AM, Friday, August 16 at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 20 at 8:00 AM, Friday, August 23 at 11:45 AM, Tuesday, August 27 at 9:00 AM, Friday, August 30 at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, September 3 at 2:00 PM, and Thursday, September 5 at 12:45 PM.
When the Senate reconvenes on Monday, September 9th, following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of the nomination of Adam B. Abelson to be United States District Judge for the District of Maryland.
The House will also reconvene on Monday, September 9th at 6:30 P.M. for votes.
