Strong families are the backbone of strong businesses, and a strong nation.
That simple truth has guided the work of the Christian Employers Alliance since our founding. When families thrive, businesses prosper, and communities grow stronger. That’s why we were enthusiastic supporters of the many pro-family provisions enacted in the comprehensive pro-family legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, including the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the enhanced 45S tax credit for businesses that provide paid family leave.
These provisions reward the very behaviors that make our economy flourish by prioritizing family – especially in the workplace. President Trump and Congress deserve praise for taking these bold pro-family steps.
But this is only the beginning. There’s more we can do to strengthen American working families and the businesses that rely on them.
Recently, I joined other pro-family leaders in urging Congress and the President to take the next step forward. One key reform should be to increase the Child Tax Credit to $5,000 per child, a proposal that has already received encouragement from Vice President J.D. Vance.
Equally important is preserving the CTC’s strong tie to work. No work, no credit – and the more you work, the more you earn. Yet one major fix remains overdue. Under current law, the first $2,500 of earned income doesn’t count toward qualifying for the credit. This creates a disincentive right where we most need opportunity – at the entry point into the workforce. It’s time to eliminate that exclusion and make sure the CTC fully rewards work from the first dollar earned.
We must also ensure that families – not government – retain the freedom to decide what’s best for their children. Our tax code should recognize that reality by allowing every family with earned income and childcare expenses to qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCTC).
Together, these reforms would deliver a major win for American families, workers, and employers alike. When families are strong, businesses benefit. When businesses thrive, so does our economy.
For too long, policymakers have framed family and business interests as if they were competing priorities. The truth is exactly the opposite: strong families are good economics. They form the foundation of a healthy labor force, stable communities, and a resilient nation.
At the Christian Employers Alliance, we’re proud to champion policies that affirm this truth – and we look forward to working with leaders who will continue building an economy rooted in family strength and human dignity.