It is good to see a COVID-19 relief bill inch its way toward enactment. I was glad to see Sen. Susan Collins become part of negotiations, attempting to come up with a bipartisan bill. The Republican proposal was flawed, but at least it was a good effort. Now we need Congress to move forward and get something substantial passed, even if it is done by only half of Congress.

When the bill is finally passed, it is critical that it include meaningful expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, provisions that were not included in the Republican proposal. Doing that will allow relief to go directly where it is needed: younger, single adults working low-wage jobs, and the parents of 26 million kids who do not now receive the full Child Tax Credit because they earn too little. Strengthening these credits will be a strong investment in those who are struggling now. It will be a critical component to cutting child poverty in half.

Finally some relief seems to be at hand. We are now ready to do what is needed to put COVID behind us. It will not be easy, and as we have seen it will not be either quick or cheap. But it must be done now.

Cushman D. Anthony
Yarmouth