Statement: U.S. PIRG supports child benefit to improve wellbeing of children and families

Media Contacts
Evan Preston

Proposals from both Republicans and Democrats would help American families

U.S.PIRG

WASHINGTON — In this starkly partisan — and often isolating — time, both Democrats and Republicans recognize the importance of family, and that many families need support. A pair of proposals from Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) could help by providing parents with hundreds of dollars a month as a “child allowance,” or “child benefit.” Congress should seize this opportunity for bipartisan agreement and pass a policy to support the wellbeing of children and show appreciation for the vital work of caregiving.  

U.S.PIRG’s Director of New Economy Campaigns Evan Preston made the following statement in support of the legislation:

“Children are better off when their parents spend more time raising them. Providing more money to parents so they can work fewer hours and spend more time with their families is good for everyone. We are all better off when parents can meet their kids’ needs. 

“Every American can support the goals of lifting millions of children out of poverty and giving parents better caregiving choices. Reasonable and well-meaning people can debate the exact details of the proposed legislation, but Congress should seize on the common ground between the Democratic and Republican proposals and pass a child benefit.  

“As President Biden emphasized with his caregiving agenda, as Rep. Gwen Moore (WI) argued, and as Sens. Sherrod Brown (OH) and Michael Bennet (CO) have proposed before, Americans watching, teaching and protecting their children perform some of the most important work anyone can do. The time for Congress to invest in the wellbeing of our next generation is now.

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