I couldn’t write yesterday, I was too pissed. If you too are outraged, channel it—write down what it would mean to your family and your life to not receive the monthly CTC check in January and beyond. We will collect these stories here and make sure that your Senators hear them. 

Storytelling is powerful. Stephanie Land,  my co-conspirator in this petition and author of MAID, has shown us that putting your story on paper can move mountains. We need those mountains (specifically in West Virginia) moved right now.  

We need it now because this past Sunday, Senator Manchin said he will be voting “NO” on the Build Back Better Act, which means the Child Tax Credit monthly checks will not continue. We need his vote to win. 

My staff is missing out on 2 shifts this week because someone tested positive for COVID. We can’t keep the doors open without them, we were already understaffed. This week, everyone loses their hours — meaning people don’t get paid. This is happening everywhere, everyday. 

And yesterday this one man, Senator Manchin, said he’d decide the fate for our entire county. His proclamation that he would vote NO on the Build Back Better act would mean it dies. He is saying now, contrary to what he’s said for months, that he would be fine if we don’t extend  programs like the Child Tax Credit. Programs that offer people assistance when life throws us lemons like positive COVID cases and therefore loss of hours.  

It was reported that ​ “Manchin has told his colleagues that he essentially doesn’t trust low-income people to spend government money wisely. That he thought parents would waste monthly child tax credit payments on drugs instead of providing for their children, according to two sources familiar with the senator’s comments.”

INSULTING. 

The moms that I know are the ones holding families together. They ensure a penny saved over here can go over there to make it all work. No one knows how to budget better than moms who need to watch every penny.  I know moms sacrifice their own self-care for the care of their children and are always thinking 2 steps ahead to ensure the welfare of their own. 

The White House said this in response to Manchin’s declaration:
“Maybe Senator Manchin can explain to the millions of children who have been lifted out of poverty, in part due to the Child Tax Credit, why he wants to end a program that is helping achieve this milestone—we cannot.”

I cannot either. Click here to share your story of what January will look like for you without this monthly check. Don’t hold back — speak from your heart. We will share your stories  to paint a real, factual and heartfelt picture for the world.

Thank you,

Stephanie