Congressional Republicans push for child tax credit for fetuses

Republicans on Monday unveiled sweeping pro-life legislation in the House and the Senate that would expand the Child Tax Credit to include unborn fetuses, create support systems on college campuses for expectant parents and ensure funding is available for pregnancy resource centers. 

Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson introduced the "Providing for Life Act" in the House, while Florida Sen. Marco Rubio introduced the Senate version of the bill. 

Hinson says the proposal is "a comprehensive pro-family package that shows value for life at all stages and supports families of all backgrounds" an "charts the policy course for a culture of life in America."

In order to account for the unborn, the Child Tax Credit will be given to people for the taxable year immediately preceding the year that the child is born alive, the legislation states. This appears to mean that women who have an abortion or miscarriage will not qualify. 

The Child Tax Credit would more than double in some cases under the new bill. For the 2023 tax year, parents can receive up to $2,000 per qualifying dependent, with $1,500 of that available as a tax refund. 

The new proposal would expand the credit to $3,500 for children under the age of 18 and $4,500 for kids under the age of 6.

The bill also would encourage adoption by making the Adoption Tax Credit fully refundable, as the $14,890 credit per child is currently not refundable. 

In addition to expanding tax credits, the bill would enhance paid parental leave, expand the food assistance program, help young women who are pregnant in school and ensure pregnancy resource centers can receive Title X funding, among other things.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.