President Joe Biden gave his first speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday that outlined his vision for sweeping changes to the government’s spending, arguing that the expansion would create jobs, reduce poverty and provide American families with more relief until the pandemic is over. 

“We need to make a once-in-a-generation investment in our families and our children,” Biden said. “A once-in-a-generation investment in America itself.” 

While he also covered other policy priorities, like immigration reform, gun control and policing, Biden focused much of his speech on two major legislative initiatives standing at the centerpiece of the administration’s policy agenda—his $2.3 trillion infrastructure and jobs plan and a $1.8 trillion proposal for individuals and families. 

Biden’s remarks come more than a month after he secured his first legislative victory with the American Rescue Plan, a coronavirus relief package that sent eligible Americans $1,400 direct payments, enhanced child tax credits and weekly unemployment insurance. With most of this aid drying up or expiring in the upcoming months, Democrats have called on the White House to swiftly pass more federal relief to alleviate existing financial burdens for families. 

Although Biden’s American Families Plan won’t come until after Congress hammers out a massive infrastructure bill, here is a look at how families could benefit from the package—if it gets passed. 

Extend the Child Tax Credit 

The president called for a temporary extension of the enhanced child tax credit from March’s pandemic legislation until 2025. 

Biden’s coronavirus rescue package expanded the existing $2,000 annual child tax break to $3,600 for children under the age of 6 and $3,000 for children between the ages of six and seventeen. The payments began phasing out for single parents earning more than $112,500 and married couples making more than $150,000. The legislation allowed for parents to receive the tax credit through periodic payments of $250 to $300 for each eligible child, depending on age, with payments expected to start going out as early as July. 

Democrats argue that the expanded family benefit would lift millions of children out of poverty. Columbia University’s Center on Poverty and Social Policy found that the temporary expansion of the child tax credit in March is expected to diminish child poverty by 45 percent and lift nearly five million children out of poverty entirely. 

If Biden’s plan passes, it would extend the child credit for another four years. 

Make Two Years of Community College Free 

On the presidential campaign trail, Biden largely advocated for making the first two years of community college free.  

Biden’s plan would uphold this push, which includes tuition for adults and new high school graduates.  

When he delivered remarks to Congress, Biden argued that free community college would “change the dynamic” of economics and social mobility across the country. Students would be responsible, however, for purchasing education-related needs, like textbooks. 

Provide Free Preschool Instruction 

Biden also called for free preschool instruction for all three and four-year-old children, which amounts to a $200 billion investment as part of his extensive families plan. 

The White House said the program would help five million children and save the average family $13,000, as it would pump federal funds into states to help them offer preschool. 

Create More Affordable Child Care Programs 

Biden, fulfilling another campaign promise, pushed for more affordable child care for American families during his speech on Wednesday. His plan proposes spending $225 billion to offer parents with children up to the age of thirteen a stronger financial ledge to pay for child care.  

Eligible families, or those making less than 1.5 times their state median income levels, would be exempt from paying for child care, and parents earning above that amount wouldn’t pay more than just seven percent of their income for it. The White House said the initiative would help save the average family $14,800 annually. 

Biden is also proposing that Congress drafts a permanent expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, which permits eligible families to get $4,000 for one child or $8000 for two or more children under the age of thirteen. 

Offer Paid Family and Medical Leave 

The president also called for a broad expansion of paid family and medical leave, pushing for twelve weeks of paid leave, where workers could earn up to $4,000 per month during their time off and at least 66 percent of their average weekly wages replaced.  

Rachel Bucchino is a reporter at the National Interest. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report and The Hill. 

Image: Reuters