Rubio Memo Reminds ‘Reluctant’ Republicans That Dem Child Allowance Is A ‘Poverty Trap,’ ‘Precursor’ To UBI

In a sign of the times, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, is circulating a memo aimed at emboldening Republicans to fight a measure that would distribute federal money to nonworking parents, worsening “poverty traps” by extending the new child allowance through the budget reconciliation bill. Rubio’s memo also criticizes the media for characterizing Democrats’ proposal as an “expanded child tax credit” when the money “goes to parents with zero tax liability, or who are simply not working at all.”

Rubio and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, intend to introduce an amendment that would create a deficit-neutral fund that expands the child tax credit “while maintaining the essential connection between receiving the credit and working,” according to the memo.

Their colleagues may be less interested in voicing opposition. “Some Republicans are a bit reluctant to criticize the plan,” a senior GOP aide told The Federalist on Monday.