Notes

The resurgence of child poverty in America. Last week, the United States Census Bureau published its latest accounting of the U.S. population. Among its more sobering statistics: Between 2022 and 2023, child poverty in the country rose from 12.5 to 13.7 percent, representing some 979,000 more children now living below the line—and bringing the total to nearly 10 million.

What may be most striking about these numbers: In 2021, U.S. child poverty was near historic lows—at 5.2 percent.

What happened?

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the child-poverty rate was close to what it is now. The U.S. government expanded the child tax credit to help Americans through, giving many families a monthly $300 per child. That moved around three million kids out of poverty—and when the expansion lapsed in 2022, the child poverty rate rebounded.

Now, both the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns are floating proposals to reintroduce an expanded child tax credit. Kamala Harris is promising to bring it back in a more generous form—offering lower- and middle-income parents $6,000 in the first year of their child’s life. Donald Trump hasn’t tabled a specific proposal himself; his running mate J.D. Vance, however, has suggested $5,000.

Of course, it’s campaign season. But consensus between the campaigns on an idea like this—that’s notable.

—Gustav Jönsson