Ahead of President Trump’s address on tax reform in North Dakota on Wednesday, conservative movement groups huddled with key leaders and lawmakers to discuss the child tax credit.
During an on-the-record portion of the meeting held at the headquarters of Americans for Tax Reform, ATR President Grover Norquist introduced a panel of Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., first daughter and White House adviser Ivanka Trump, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. Schweikert, Trump, and Lee each delivered brief remarks outlining their goals for the tax credit before representatives from conservative advocacy groups introduced themselves and offered their thoughts on reform efforts as well.
Trump, who was first to deliver remarks, spoke with obvious passion for the cause — using statistics to illustrate how high the costs of childrearing can be — and indicated she hopes the existing child tax credit will “at least” double. “This administration is pushing for the largest child tax credit possible,” Trump revealed, adding moments later that she “would also like to see it be made refundable against payroll taxes, so that more lower income families can fully benefit from the credit.”
Lee, who lauded the first daughter as “a formidable ally in any cause,” took the opportunity to call for an increase in the tax credit as well. “Parents do not have an interest group,” he observed, arguing an increased credit would constitute a “long overdue relief package” for families.
As representatives from groups such as the Family Research Council, Faith & Freedom Coalition, and Live Action went around the room to introduce their organizations and offer brief thoughts, former Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Rick Santorum said the tax code “screws” families, imploring attendees to see them as the “ultimate small business in America.”
“Stop apologizing for those kids and the people who have to raise them,” he boomed.
After introductions, attendees collaborated in an off-the-record discussion on reform proposals.
Later on Wednesday, President Trump in North Dakota predicted his party’s efforts to craft tax reform legislation this fall will ultimately constitute “the greatest tax reduction in the history of our country.” Efforts to implement an increased CTC refundable against payroll taxes as part of that legislation would certainly offer welcome relief for struggling families around the country.
Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
