Ro Khanna
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and introduced joint legislation last week in the Senate and House that may give working families a much-deserved wage boost.

WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and introduced joint legislation last week in the Senate and House that may give working families a much-deserved wage boost.

The Grow American Incomes Now (GAIN) Act would greatly expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) so that more working families and childless workers are eligible to receive it. More than 50 members of Congress are cosponsoring the bill.

The proposal co-authored by Khanna and Brown roughly doubles the EITC for working families and increases the credit for childless workers almost sixfold. Under the proposal, the maximum tax credit available increases substantially.

“Americans are working longer hours, but too many aren’t seeing that hard work reflected in their pay. And worse—our tax system can actually tax workers into poverty. That’s not how we grow our middle class or our economy,” said stated Brown. “Updating the EITC will make sure all workers can keep more of the money they earned for their work.”

“The EITC is already proven at lifting people out of poverty. By strengthening it to reach more families and individuals, it can have a lasting impact on our economy,” stated Khanna.

“In today’s age of automation and globalization, where work is sometimes seasonal and hours are often curtailed, this bill provides every hard-working American with a fair income for their labor.”

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, more than 28 million working families and individuals in every state receive the EITC.

Under the bill, it is estimated nearly half of American households will pay no federal individual income tax in 2017, which is up from 44 percent under current law.

As of Sept. 17, the bill as 50 co-sponsors in Congress.