Trump's baby bonus proposal faces criticism, as experts argue it fails to tackle the genuine struggles parents encounter.
The Trump administration is urging Americans to populate the nation, with ol' Donnie himself encouraging a label as the "fertilization president." But critics are slamming Republicans for stubbornly ignoring the high cost of raising families and turning a blind eye to readily available policy solutions.
Rosa DeLauro, a 18-term Democrat and leading champion of federal paid family leave, told NBC News, "If you want to encourage families to have children and be serious about it, then you would work to lower costs, build economic security for families."
Since 2007, the US has seen a decline in its overall fertility rate, dipping to an all-time low in 2023 before leveling off the following year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's not just the US experiencing a baby bust; birth rates are plummeting worldwide.
Reports suggest that the Trump administration is mulling over some mighty strange policy ideas to boost birth rates. Take, for example, giving mothers a cool $5,000 after dropping a new rug rope, or throwing taxpayer dollars at government-funded classes that teach folks about their menstrual cycles. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy even threw his hat in the ring, pushing the department to prioritize funding for communities with higher birth and marriage rates.
A White House official confirmed that the administration is champing at the bit to see more babies, stating, "That's what we talked about during the campaign."
When quizzed about the so-called "baby bonus" at a White House event, Trump seemed open to the idea, commenting, "It sounds like a good idea to me."
Chrissy Houlahan, co-chair of the House Paid Family Leave Working Group, took a less enthusiastic stance towards the suggestion. "The effort would be laughable if it wasn't so sad," she said. Instead, lawmakers argue that expanding the Child Tax Credit, which provides long-term tax breaks for parents, would be a more reliable boon for families.
Data shows that parents typically spend 29% of their savings on childcare costs, with the $2,000 annual Child Tax Credit set to expire at the end of the year. That means the credit will drop to $1,000 for each qualifying child, a move that parents aren't exactly thrilled about.
A group of Senate Democrats have proposed expanding the credit to $6,360 annually for newborns, with the credit gradually lowering to $3,600 for children ages 6 through 17. But with the GOP still controlling Congress, the bill faces daunting headwinds.
Erin Erenberg, CEO of Chamber of Mothers, voiced her organization's worry that women are being priced out of parenthood. "Parenthood doesn't need to be incentivized - it needs to be supported every step of the way," she said.
Erenberg points to the group's top three policy proposals: a federal paid leave program, investments in maternal health, and increased access to affordable childcare. House Democrats also express concern that efforts to pass a reconciliation bill that could chop a hefty $880 billion out of Medicaid would prove detrimental to families.
However, DeLauro queries whether the Trump administration is truly committed to fostering more births considering the administration's focus on immigration policies and potential cuts to social welfare programs like Medicaid and Head Start. The question is, are Republicans willing to take concrete steps to make parenthood more affordable for Americans, or are they merely blowing smoke? Only time will tell.
- The Trump administration is not just advocating for family growth, but they are also considering unconventional policies like giving mothers $5,000 after having a baby or funding classes about menstrual cycles.
- In contrast, Rosa DeLauro, a prominent Democrat, suggests lowering costs and providing economic security as effective solutions for encouraging family growth.
- Since 2007, the US fertility rate has been declining, reaching an all-time low in 2023 before leveling off the following year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Lawmakers argue that expanding the Child Tax Credit, which currently provides a $2,000 annual tax break for each qualifying child, would be a more reliable boost for families.
- However, the Child Tax Credit is set to drop to $1,000 for each qualifying child at the end of the year, causing concern among parents.
- A group of Senate Democrats has proposed expanding the Child Tax Credit to $6,360 annually for newborns, with the credit gradually lowering to $3,600 for children ages 6 through 17, but the bill faces obstacles due to GOP control of Congress.
- Erin Erenberg, CEO of Chamber of Mothers, expressed worry that women are being priced out of parenthood and advocated for a federal paid leave program, investments in maternal health, and increased access to affordable childcare.
- House Democrats also question the Trump administration's commitment to fostering more births, as its focus on immigration policies and potential cuts to social welfare programs like Medicaid and Head Start raises concerns. The question remains, are Republicans prepared to take concrete steps to make parenthood more affordable for Americans, or are they just blowing smoke?
