What's at stake

Child poverty. Restarting monthly Child Tax Credit payments would help Washington children living in poverty. There are 1.4 million children in Washington living in poverty. Washington state Democrats in Congress were instrumental in ensuring that President Biden's American Rescue Plan would expand and improve the Child Tax Credit to reach more working families in the form of automatic monthly payments of $250-$300 per child in the second half of 2021, which made a huge impact on the lives of children and especially parents facing increased financial burdens due to COVID-19. Though these payments have since lapsed, the need remains, and Washington Democrats continue to lead the charge to pass an extension of the tax credit.

Climate change. Washington Democrats have advanced some of the nation’s most ambitious climate standards: In 2021, Democrats in Washington adopted some of the most far-reaching climate regulations in the country, including a clean fuels standard that mandates reductions in greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions attributable to transportation fuels, and a cap-and-trade program that requires Washington to set a statewide “cap” on greenhouse gas emissions that steadily lowers over time. The regulatory framework for both bills are now being negotiated, and Democratic-control of the state government is essential to ensuring that progress continues to implement, and not reverse, these new laws.

Health care. Democratic-controlled Washington was the first state in the country to pass any form of a public option and passed new legislation in May 2021 to improve access by requiring hospitals to contract with the public option plan in some circumstances and adding premium subsidies that will help people afford the plans starting in 2023. In 2022, Washington Democrats are working to continue to improve and increase access to health care, along with introducing new bills to combat the rising prices of drug prescriptions in the state.

What's at stake facts updated January, 2024