Democrats lost a 12-point edge among voters who received expanded child tax credit payments, GOP now holds slight lead: poll

The Democrats pushed for the expanded child tax credit, which sent payments of $250 to $300 per child via direct deposit from July through December, as part of their plan to reduce poverty.

The one-year extension of the credit was a centerpiece of the bill, but it fell apart when Manchin objected to it.

When Americans were still receiving child tax credits in December of 2021, a Morning Consult/Politico survey showed that almost half of recipients were more likely to back a Democratic congressional candidate.

According to a recent poll, the Democratic edge has been erased.

Democrats held a 44%-43% advantage over the GOP in a February survey.

In the latest Morning Consult/Politico survey, 42% of parents or guardians with at least one child under 18 years of age who received the credit said they were inclined to support a Republican congressional candidate, compared to 42% who said they were leaning toward a Democratic candidate.

The numbers show a 15-point swing in favor of the GOP.

If the election were held today, 42% of voters said they would back a Democrat, while 42% said they would back a Republican.

There were margins of error of plus or minus 2 and 5 points in the latest survey, which was conducted from April 1 to April 4.

The child tax credit was increased from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child over the age of six, while parents of children under the age of six saw the credit rise to $3,600.

Democrats have been talking about the benefits of the tax credits for months.

The December child tax credit kept millions of children out of poverty.

The expanded credits expired in December and many parents are struggling to make ends meet.

The child tax credit was included in the version of the bill that passed the House, but it was killed by Manchin in the Senate. He wants families to have a W-2 form in order to get the tax credit.

Mondaire Jones of New York said that if the party suffers politically in November, it will be because of Manchin's stance on the credit.

People recognize that poverty is a policy choice, one that Joe Manchin is making for millions of working families.

This is not just bad policy. It is bad politics. Manchin will be blamed if Democrats lose ground.