Child tax credits back in Republican tax reform talks

A major proposal to enact new tax credits for children is still an unresolved part of Republican talks on tax reform, a sign of how fluid the party's plans remain after eight months of plotting.

At issue is an initiative of Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter and a senior adviser to the president, who advocated creating a new federal benefit for child care expenses throughout the campaign and in office.

The idea wasn't part of the joint principles on tax reform that the Trump administration put out with congressional leaders before the congressional research or in the White House's recent previews of tax reform, and has never had support from House or Senate GOP leadership. But President Trump endorsed it this week in a much-hyped speech in Springfield, Missouri, and the concept also has some advocates in Congress.

In Wednesday's speech, Trump said that the tax reform will feature middle-class tax relief, and that it "includes helping parents afford child care and the cost of raising a family."

"It's one of her real big beliefs," Trump said, referring to Ivanka. "And she's very committed to that."