On Wednesday March 10, the House approved the nearly $1.9 trillion rescue plan intended to support struggling Americans and stimulate the economy.
A measure within the new stimulus package expands the child tax credit to include 17-year-olds of parents within a certain income bracket, and overall increases the payments per child under 18.
Less than 24 hours after its passage, 55% of Americans 18 and older say they support this measure. The other half of the country expressed either opposition (26%) or neutrality (19%).
Naturally, parents and grandparents are 25% more supportive than non-parents of the expanded credit. An annual household income of $100K also seems to be the dividing line of support — earners of under $100K are more supportive and earners of over $100K are less supportive. People making $150K or more a year are the most opposed to the expanded child tax credit.
Gen Z shows the least amount of support for this expansion when compared to other age groups. They also show the most neutrality, likely a result of not having kids of their own. Middle-age Americans (those most likely to have children under 18 years of age) support the measure at a 60% rate.
Experience with the virus, whether by contracting it or knowing someone who did, appears to increase someone’s support for a more comprehensive tax credit. Similarly, people whose jobs have been negatively impacted by the pandemic show a greater likelihood to approve of the measure than people who are still working as usual.
The nature of federal aid in any form is often a partisan topic. And while this stimulus package and measure expanding the child tax credit is not an exception, it’s important to note the nearly one-third of supporters identify as conservatives.
For more on the third round of economic stimulus, read our most recent report here.
