GOP changes child tax credit in bid to win Rubio’s vote

The final Republican tax bill will increase the amount of the refundable child tax credit to $1,400, Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) told reporters Friday, as leaders seek to win the vote of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).

The refundable amount was $1,100 in the Senate-passed tax bill, but Rubio on Thursday said that wasn’t good enough. He has threatened to vote against the bill unless the refundable amount of the credit is increased.

It’s unclear whether the change will be enough to satisfy him.

A spokeswoman for Rubio said they had not yet seen the text of the bill, but warned that unless the percentage of the refundable credit is significantly higher, Rubio’s position would remain the same.

“Can only support bill if % of the 2K #ChildTaxCredit available to #workingclass parents is increased to % meaningfully higher than 55%,” Rubio tweeted Friday morning.

Members of the House-Senate conference committee are gathering Friday morning to decide whether to sign onto the conference report on the tax bill.

The text of the compromise legislation is expected to be released later Friday.