Lois Frankel Calls on the Senate to Pass the Build Back Better Act and Expand the Child Tax Credit

“No parent should be working two jobs and still struggle to keep a roof over their family’s heads,” says the lifelong Democrat.

Lois Frankel, the representative for Florida’s District 21 (that includes Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, and Delray Beach) refers to herself as a working grandmother. But don’t be fooled by the sweet epithet. Since her early days as a student protester in the 1960s, Frankel has been a trailblazer in the state legislature, working to create positive change as a community and civic leader, state legislator, mayor, and now as a member of Congress in the US House of Representatives.

“[In the ‘60s] I was involved in a lot of protests and marches and debates, but after I graduated college, I decided ‘I want to make change, but from the inside’,” she told Floricua.

Today, she makes it clear that her passion to bring fairness and opportunity to all Floridians continues unabated. That is why she is a strong supporter of the expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) that, under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, increased payments up to $3,600 per year per child under 6, and $3,000 per year per child ages 6-17.

However, the last disbursement of CTC payments hit bank accounts in December of 2021, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet despite working more than one job and often going without basic necessities.

“As a mother and grandmother, I know the many blessings of children, but I also know the responsibilities and the cost,” Frankel told us. And yes, this is a lady that knows the cost of diapers! “They have gone up almost 14%! Everyday things, whether diapers, food, childcare [has become] very expensive for working families.”

A Casualty of Political Games?

Frankel says she has heard from families who tell her how the Child Tax Credit payments allowed them to put food on the table for their children. “No parent should be working two jobs and still struggle to keep a roof over their family’s heads,” she says.

However, there is a solution, the lifelong Democrat says: The Build Back Better Act would extend the monthly CTC payments through the end of 2022. However, the bill has not fared well with those on the other side of the aisle.

“No Republicans are supporting the CTC. Is it because they don’t believe in it, or because they don’t want to give the president, who is a Democrat, any victories? It seems to me there are some political games being played by Republicans,” she said, adding that “It’s time for the Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act so we can continue providing these monthly tax credits and give families the help they need in the new year.”

The bill is currently awaiting action in the Senate.