Interactive Map: The Recovery, for Children

Economic troubles are hitting the homes of millions of American children. The United States is in a recession that is likely to be the longest and deepest in 25 years and may be the worst since World War II. More than 21 million workers filed for unemployment in 2008—5 million more than in 2007—and the economy lost more than 2 million jobs (on a net basis). Past experience indicates that the number of Americans without health insurance can be expected to rise by several million. And state budget deficits will likely top $300 billion, forcing cuts to schools and safety nets. These cutbacks will directly hurt the stability, health, and education of American children.

Struggling families need help getting by during these economic hard times. And helping these families is the right thing to do for the economy: families will spend the relief they get, generating economic activity and creating jobs. Progressives in Congress are now fighting to overcome conservative opposition on three critical issues for children in every state: expanding the child tax credit to benefit 14 million children, expanding children’s health insurance to cover a total of 11 million children, and investing an average of $770 per child in better schools and higher standards.

More from CAP on the stimulus:

Brief: Recovery and Reinvestment 101

Interactive Map: Recovery Beyond the Beltway

Infographic: Four Reasons We Can't Afford Not to Have One

Interactive: Build Your Own Stimulus Package