This important relief comes despite every single Republican in Congress, who unanimously voted to block direct relief for millions of working families. 

Here’s a look at what parents and local leaders were saying about President Biden and Democrats’ middle-class tax cut this weekend:

In Pennsylvania:

Scranton Times-Tribune: New credit game-changer
By Amber Viola, parent

This month, countless Pennsylvania families woke up to a bit of good news — extra money in their bank accounts — thanks to the expanded child tax credit from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan. It’s a middle class tax cut of up to $300 per child for working families, deposited monthly.

Why is this child tax cut so important? Thanks to leadership from Democrats in Washington, we have come a long way from the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we’ve still got a long way to go.

[…]

This tax cut is a tremendous help to me as the mother of a 4-year-old girl. Two years ago, Scranton School District got rid of free preschool. Because of this, I now pay out of pocket for my daughter’s education and other child care needs. This pandemic has only exacerbated the difficulties we single parents face.

In North Carolina:

Asheville Citizen-Times: Opinion: Biden’s monthly tax cuts value parents at a level we deserve
By Dewana Little, parent and executive director of  Asheville’s YMI Cultural Center

I recently opened a letter from the White House outlining how President Biden’s expanded child tax credit will help my family. I breathed a big sigh of relief. These payments, which my family and many working families across our country started receiving last week thanks to the American Rescue Plan, couldn’t come at a more critical time as the transition back to pre-pandemic life and corresponding expenses start to kick in.

[…]

Opening the White House’s letter confirming my eligibility in the expanded Child Tax Credit program was a game changer. I wasted no time planning how to put the tax cut to good use: paying for child care, especially as summer programs are now in full swing. Being able to use these payments for child care will not only alleviate financial stress but guarantee quality care for my three kids that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to provide them. I’ve had plenty of conversations with friends who are planning on doing the same.

In Minnesota: 

St. Cloud Times: Child tax credit payments begin to roll out to Minnesota families
By Ken Martin, Minnesota DFL Party Chairman

No one should have to struggle to provide for their family, which is why President Biden and Democrats included a tremendous increase to child tax credits in the American Rescue Plan, which will start landing in people’s bank accounts on July 15th. The American Rescue Plan led by the Biden Administration and Democrats in Congress is delivering for American families.

The tax credits will increase from $2,000 per child to $3,000 for children over the age of six, and $2,000 to $3,600 for children under the age of six. Age limits for credits are also raised from 16 to 17. 

[…]

Democrats have delivered for Minnesotans. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 1,126,000 children will benefit from the child tax credit, and 44,000 children could be lifted out of poverty because of the credit. The impacts of this economic support cannot be overstated – financial security and safety now can do so much to change a child’s life.