TEXAS (JUNE 30, 2025) – As the national debate around the Child Tax Credit (CTC) continues, local community leaders will urge Congress to prioritize low-income working families and children by providing recommendations grounded in workforce stability, economic mobility, and fiscal responsibility. Under the existing policy, 1.9 million children in Texas are excluded from the full $2,000 tax credit because their parents do not earn enough to qualify.  This includes 70,000 children in veteran families who are currently excluded despite their parents’ service, solely due to income thresholds. 

 On Monday, June 30, at 10 AM, C@R and community leaders gathered to outline key considerations for maintaining CTC’s effectiveness in supporting working families and economic stability. Texas is home to approximately 875,000 U.S. citizen children who are likely to lose eligibility if lawmakers require both parents to have Social Security Numbers. Such a change would disproportionately affect mixed-status households. Economic data to be discussed during the press conference demonstrates that immigrant communities contribute significantly to the Texas economy through both tax payments and consumer spending. Texas stands to lose $1.65 billion in state and local revenue in the first year alone due to these exclusions.

“We know some version of The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will be passed by Congress,” said Dr. Bob Sanborn, president & CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK. “Our goal is to highlight the importance of the CTC and its impact on Texas children to ensure that whatever version may pass, it will do the least amount of harm to our Texas children.” 

 During its temporary expansion under the American Rescue Plan in 2021, the CTC helped reduce child poverty by an estimated 25%, reaching 35 million households nationally. The Child Tax Credit has long served as a bipartisan tool to reward work, reduce child poverty, and stimulate local economies. Recent federal proposals to limit access for lower-income families or restrict eligibility requirements have raised concerns among education leaders, family service providers, public policy professionals, and economic stakeholders from both rural and urban communities. 

Part of a broader advocacy effort, CHILDREN AT RISK urges the Texas Congressional Delegation to publicly oppose the harmful CTC provisions in the reconciliation bill. Several Texas congressional districts would be among the most severely impacted nationwide:

• Rep. Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX29) – 53,000 children impacted, the #1 most impacted congressional district in the country.
• Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX34) – 47,000 children impacted, the #3 most impacted.
• Empty Congressional Seat, Late Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX18) – 44,000 children impacted, #4 most impacted.
• Rep. Marc A. Veasey (D-TX33) – 43,000 children impacted, #5 most impacted.
• Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX32) – 38,000 children impacted, #8 most impacted.
• Rep. Al Green (D-TX9) – 38,000 children impacted, #9 most impacted.

“The Senate’s Child Tax Credit proposal shows their upside-down priorities: giving the biggest breaks to families earning hundreds of thousands while leaving out working parents earning modest wages,” said Elizabeth Colvin, executive director of RAISE Texas. “It also shuts out an estimated 875,000 Texas children who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents from receiving the credit. This is not how we build a stronger economy or a strong future workforce. If we truly want to support working families, we need a Child Tax Credit that reaches the families putting in the effort every day to provide for their kids.”

“The Child Tax Credit is one of the most effective tools we have to lift families out of poverty. At United Ways of Texas, we see firsthand how refundable tax credits like the CTC help families meet basic needs, build stability, and contribute to their local economies,” said Ashley R. Harris, director of public policy & advocacy with United Way of Texas. “We urge Congress to strengthen and expand the CTC so that it reaches all families — including those with little or no earnings — because every family deserves the chance to be on a path to financial security.”

“These proposed changes to the Child Tax Credit are a blow to the hard-working families who can barely afford their day-to-day expenses,” said Michael Mireles, director of civic engagement with La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE). “Tax cuts for businesses take priority in this legislation over those most vulnerable―children.”

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About CHILDREN AT RISK

CHILDREN AT RISK is a research and advocacy nonprofit leading the way in improving the quality of life for Texas’ children. CHILDREN AT RISK considers the whole child by tracking issues in children’s health, safety, education, and economic security to improve equity and justice for all Texas families. Committed to action beyond the data, CHILDREN AT RISK drives evidence-based change by speaking out on behalf of children. For more information, visit childrenatrisk.org, Facebook, and Twitter.