Proponents say the new program could help close the glaring racial wealth gap in D.C.

The proposal would give low-income kids in D.C. up to $1,000 a year until their 18th birthday, which advocates say would give them a chance to pay for college, buy a house or start a business.

A bill from D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie would give qualifying kids a $1,000 payment into a trust fund when they’re born, followed by annual payments as high as $2,000 until their 18th birthday.