Passing the Child Tax Credit (CTC) is one of the most powerful things we can do to strengthen national security. National security requires a strong and functional citizenry, capable of building a strong economy in a thriving nation.

What is the link between the CTC and a strong economy? A strong economy means raising children who are successful earners — as entrepreneurs or employees — and who will be the strong and intelligent citizens we want for a secure future. This takes money during the early years. Homes in which parents have multiple jobs and are short on time and money can produce children who don’t function as well in society and who earn less as adults. But researchers have found that “When families are able to meet basic needs such as food, housing and medical care, parents and other caregivers experience less stress, which allows them to provide the critical support that children need to grow into healthy, productive adults.”

The CTC gives families a tax credit of up to $2,000 per year for each eligible child under 17. This assistance for families can help them to create a safety net as well as help those families who have suffered unforeseen disruptions make it through those challenging times. It means a family can have more resources for food, medical care and other important resources involved in raising children, giving them a greater chance of becoming productive adults. In fact, research shows that every $1 spent on this credit results in $1.50-$2 spent in the local economy.

What is the evidence for the connection between family security and children who become productive adults? First, low birth weight and poor nutrition early in life are tied to earlier mortality and higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases in later life, decreasing productivity, and increasing medical bills and disability. Early life nutrition also affects brain development, something that shapes a person’s entire life.

Second, though meeting challenges and handling certain kinds of stress can build character and have positive effects, the ongoing chronic stress that occurs in households where basic needs cannot be met has a negative effect. This is called toxic stress. Researchers include “family financial hardship” and homelessness in their list of “severe, frequent, or sustained events that can produce toxic stress.” Other research has found that “Emotional distress among both parents/caregivers and their children is higher in families facing more material hardship. When caregivers can’t meet their family’s basic needs, their emotional distress increases. This leaves them less able to protect their children from the consequences of adversity in the household, and their children’s emotional distress also increases.”

Public policies focused on helping families financially decrease toxic stress in childhood increase the likelihood of producing healthy, financially productive adults. This is what ties the CTC to building a strong America. Our senators know this. Sen. Mike Lee helped author the 2017 Child Tax Credit provisions. Sen. Mitt Romney has a history of supporting policies that strengthen families, which makes clear that he understands what the CTC can do. These men know the best investment in America’s families is one which helps children grow up to be strong productive citizens who can create a robust economy and maintain our country’s financial strength. This is what the Child Tax Credit does. I hope to see them vote in favor of it.

Lory Skwerer is a resident of Millcreek and a member of Mormon Women for Ethical Government.

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