A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Stronger Start for Working Families Act. It was introduced in the Senate by Ms. Hassan and Mr. Young on January 8, 2026. The bill aims to change the tax rules for the refundable child tax credit. Specifically, it modifies the earned income threshold required to get the credit. The change lowers this earned income threshold from $3,000 down to $1. These new rules will apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill increases financial support available to households with children.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill increases liquid resources for low-income households through tax credits.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
The bill provides more financial support to low-income families by lowering the income threshold for the child tax credit.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
Lowering the earned income threshold for a refundable credit increases federal outlays.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 2 lowers the earned income threshold for the refundable child tax credit from $3,000 to $1. This is a positive change because it makes it much easier for working families to qualify for the credit, potentially putting more money in the pockets of everyday people who need it.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill increases financial support available to households with children. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill increases liquid resources for low-income households through tax credits. Would women be better off under this? — The bill provides additional financial support that can assist women in low-income households. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill primarily benefits the lowest income earners rather than the middle class.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides more financial support to low-income families by lowering the income threshold for the child tax credit.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this cut taxes for middle-income families? — The bill expands access to the child tax credit for families with very low earned income. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Lowering the earned income threshold for a refundable credit increases federal outlays.
- 3/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 1/8/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana