FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Louisa Tavlas
Vice President of Communications
ltavlas@niskanencenter.org
Washington, D.C. – The Niskanen Center today welcomed the introduction of the Supporting Newborn Parents Act, a bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives led by Reps. David Valadao (R-CA), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Blake Moore (R-UT), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI). This bill would establish a refundable credit to help parents manage the financial strain of a child’s first year.
“A newborn credit helps parents weather the turbulence of their baby’s first year,” says Leah Sargeant, Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center. “This bill gives families the flexibility to make choices that work best for them at a critical moment. We thank Reps. Valadao, Suozzi, Blake Moore, and Dingell for their leadership in supporting working families raising the next generation of Americans.”
The Supporting Newborn Parents Act would complement existing family benefits such as the Child Tax Credit (CTC), by delivering support earlier, when families need it most. The bill allows parents to claim a $2,000 refundable tax credit for a newborn, with full eligibility beginning at $10,000 of household earnings. Families may qualify based on earnings in either the year of the child’s birth or the prior year. For those earning below $10,000 in both years, the credit phases in at 20 percent from the first dollar earned.
By providing timely, flexible support, the bill would help families navigate the financial challenges of welcoming a new child and prioritize what matters most during the first year.
The Niskanen Center is a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization established in 2014 to change public policy through direct engagement in the policymaking process.
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