The Senate is now poised to reject a bipartisan tax relief measure that was passed by an overwhelming majority in the House, as Republicans in the upper chamber have issued threats to obstruct it.
Senate Republicans are dissatisfied that they were excluded from negotiations between Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), chairs of the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance, respectively.
They claim that the measure would make the child tax credit (CTC) available to tens of thousands of migrants whom the Biden administration is letting into the country.
They contend that the majority of the benefits provided by the expanded child tax credit would be in the form of cash welfare rather than tax relief for working families, thereby undermining the mid-1990s welfare reforms.
Furthermore, it could reportedly increase the federal deficit by nearly $400 billion over the next decade.
Wednesday evening, the $78 billion tax package was overwhelmingly approved by the House, 357-70.
Senate Republicans’ staunch opposition paves the way for yet another significant policy dispute with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La. ), who lauded the legislation.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would increase the federal deficit by $399 billion from 2024 to 2033 and $44.7 billion from 2024 to 2028.
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