Blunt blasts Democratic ‘gimmicks’ in Build Back Better as bill’s future remains in jeopardy

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) on Sunday blasted what he called “gimmicks” that Democrats included in the Build Back Better Act as the future of the bill remains murky.

While appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” Blunt was asked by chief Washington correspondent Mike Emanuel if he believed the expanded child tax credit — set to expire in a few days — was worth saving, with Emanuel noting that it has been estimated to significantly reduce child poverty.

“Well, I think this is one of the problems and one of the gimmicks in the bill, frankly,” Blunt said.

The Missouri senator argued that the bill provides funds to families that don’t require the benefits of the child tax credit due to already earning a high income.

“Families that make $150,000 for instance, aren’t in poverty in Missouri. I don’t think they’re in poverty almost anywhere in the United States, and it’s a big mistake to assume they are,” he said.

Emanuel pressed Blunt further on the child tax credit, pointing to arguments that it would stimulate the economy and enhance financial security for families.

Blunt responded by painting the child tax credit as being an indication of what Democrats were aiming to do with the Build Back Better Act, pointing out that the expanded payments included in the the American Rescue Plan were initially flagged as temporary.

“That’s exactly the kind of gimmicks the Build Back Better — or what some my friends called the Build Back Broker package — does. They assume that once you start all of these programs, you’ll never be willing to stop them,” he said.