"Joe Manchin's legacy includes artificially manufacturing child poverty for no reason other than his callous disregard for human beings," said the Debt Collective following the release of new Census data.

The US child poverty rate more than doubled in 2022 according to new Census data, rising to 12.4% from 5.2% the previous year. This sharp increase was largely due to the expiration of the expanded Child Tax Credit program that was part of the American Rescue Plan but was not extended due to opposition from Senator Joe Manchin and Republicans. The boosted Child Tax Credit had significantly reduced child poverty in 2021. Experts say child poverty would not have risen so drastically last year if the expanded tax credit was maintained. The data underscores the significant impact policy decisions around social programs can have on poverty levels.