How can senators turn their back on children? On Aug. 1, the Senate voted down the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. As a result, 16 million children in working families must needlessly continue to struggle.

The key to this bill was the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, one of our most effective tools at reducing child poverty. But too many children experiencing poverty are left out of the full credit. This bill would have helped.

You would think that in an election year, passing tax breaks that help children, families, and small business owners would be a no-brainer. The House certainly did when they passed the bill back in January. But for some senators, political ambition was more important than hungry kids.

I do thank Sen. Kelly and Sen. Sinema for putting families first by voting yes!

Congress must not let this happen again. I expect our congressional delegation to support expanding the CTC to all families with low incomes in 2025.

Francisco Fonseca
SURPRISE