Miller, Colleagues Introduce Stronger Start for Working Families Act

September 4, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Representatives Miller (R-WV), Horsford (D-NV), Salazar (R-FL), and Pappas (D-NH) introduced the Stronger Start for Working Families Act, which would lower the earned-income threshold for the refundable Child Tax Credit from $2,500 to $1.  Under this change, a taxpayer would qualify for a portion of the refundable CTC beginning with their first dollar of earned income, providing meaningful tax relief to families and encouraging more Americans to enter into the workforce. “The Stronger Start for Working Families Act is a common-sense piece of legislation designed to help our families across the country who are struggling with the rising costs of raising a child. By lowering the earned income limit, we can ensure parents start receiving much-needed Child Tax Credit benefits from the very first dollar they earn, providing tax relief and improved peace of mind to those needing it most,” said Congresswoman Carol Miller. “The Stronger Start for Working Families Act is a bipartisan solution for working families who have watched relief stay just out of reach. Lowering the qualifying threshold from $2,500 to just $1 means that so many families below the poverty line who were previously prevented from qualifying now have access to the assistance they deserve. That can be the difference between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table. There is still more work to be done for families who need support, but this is a positive first step. I'm proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle on this much needed relief, and I will continue to ensure working families can get ahead, not just get by," said Rep. Horsford. "Families in New Hampshire are working hard and still coming up short. Child care for a family with two kids costs close to $32,000 a year here, more than a quarter of our state's median family income. It makes no sense that parents who need the Child Tax Credit most are the ones missing out. This bill is a simple and straightforward fix: let families start earning the credit with their first dollar of work so we can put money back in their pockets," said Congressman Chris Pappas. The Stronger Start for Working Families Act is supported by Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Third Way, Bread for the World, America Forward, Save the Children, Niskanen Center, Family Matters, and RESULTS. “Parents are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, with majorities of low-income parents saying they have increased spending on groceries and utilities this year. The Stronger Start for Working Families Act will help families access a larger Child Tax Credit sooner, which helps them afford basic necessities that help children thrive and incentivizes parents to join or stay in the workforce. BPC Action commends Reps. Miller (R-WV) and Horsford (D-NV) for leading this bill in the House,” says Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action). “The Stronger Start for Working Families Act will meaningfully expand the Child Tax Credit for families struggling with the rising cost of child care, groceries, and other essentials. We applaud Representatives Carol Miller and Steven Horsford for their bipartisan leadership on a working-family tax cut that is simple, effective, and fiscally responsible," said Zach Moller, Senior Director of the Economic Program, Third Way. "We applaud Representatives Miller (R-WV), Horsford (D-NV), Salazar (R-FL), and Pappas (D-NH) for championing the House version of the Stronger Start for Working Families Act. Lowering the earnings threshold for the Child Tax Credit is a critical step toward reducing child poverty, improving health outcomes, and ending hunger. This legislation would provide meaningful support to the families who need it most and help ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive." said Rev. Heather Taylor, Interim President/CEO, Bread for the World. “We applaud Representative Miller for this important legislation that expands the accessibility of the Child Tax Credit. America Forward Coalition organizations implement innovative, evidence-based economic mobility strategies nationwide. While the Child Tax Credit is a powerful tool to support families' financial security and economic mobility, Coalition members know the CTC’s earned income threshold excludes many families who could benefit. This critical bill will make a meaningful difference in the lives of families across the country,” said Deborah Smolover, Executive Director, America Forward. “Save the Children applauds Representatives Miller, Horsford, Pappas, and Salazar for leading the Stronger Start for Working Families Act, which would expand access to the Child Tax Credit for families in rural America. This pro-family, pro-growth legislation puts families first by helping ease financial pressures and ensuring more families have the resources they need to thrive," said Allison Dembeck, Director of Policy, Save the Children. “Years of inflation have eroded the purchasing power of struggling working-class families. Representatives Miller and Horsford’s Stronger Start for Working Families Act would tap into the Child Tax Credit’s long history of bipartisan support to supplement working families’ earnings with a much-needed boost at tax time.” said Josh McCabe, Director of Social Policy, Niskanen Center. “The Child Tax Credit is the primary way our tax code supports parents in their hard work of raising the next generation, but too many working families are unable to fully benefit from it. This bill is a smart, targeted way of ensuring that hard work pays, and that more parents have a little more support in covering the expenses of everyday life," said Patrick T. Brown, Family Matters. “RESULTS and its national network of advocates applaud Congresswoman Miller(R-WV) and Congressman Horsford (D-NV) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Stronger Start for Working Families Act. This legislation will improve the Child Tax Credit (CTC) so that it better rewards the hard work that millions of families employed in low to moderate wage jobs do to support their families. Congress must follow their lead and ensure expanded Child Tax Credit benefits reach families who need them the most," said RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter. A copy of the bill text can be found here . ### Issues : Economy