Peterson Foundation Statement on New Round of Tax Cuts

NEW YORK — Michael A. Peterson, Chairman and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, commented today on new deficit-financed tax legislation introduced in the House of Representatives:
“Another round of tax cuts financed with borrowed money is doubling down on fiscal irresponsibility. Instead of digging the hole deeper and passing even more debt to our children, lawmakers should implement reforms that actually improve our unsustainable fiscal outlook.
“The reason that these provisions were not permanent in the first place was that we could not afford it. What has changed? Our deficits have only gotten worse. The administration recently acknowledged that we have returned to trillion-dollar annual deficits, and we’ll remain above that level as far as the eye can see.
“Tax cuts simply don’t pay for themselves. America’s future economy depends on a strong fiscal foundation, and more debt is the last thing we need.”
Further Reading
Budget Basics: What Is the Child Tax Credit?
The CTC provides assistance to families with children, and while it represents a relatively modest part of overall government spending, it is one of the largest tax expenditures.
Budget Basics: Tax Expenditures
Tax expenditures can come in the form of exclusions, exemptions, deductions, and credits.
What Are the Economic Costs of Child Poverty?
Child poverty is higher in the United States than in other wealthy countries. Studies show that it has quantifiable economic costs.