Heritage Foundation Advances Policies to Boost Family Growth
The Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, is crafting new policy proposals aimed at increasing childbirth among married couples. This effort follows their comprehensive plan, Project 2025, which provided a roadmap for a potential second term for President Donald Trump.
Recently highlighted by the Washington Post, the foundation is working on a new document titled “We Must Save the American Family.” This paper suggests reallocating financial resources directly to families rather than funding child care initiatives like Head Start. Moreover, the foundation is advocating for executive policies to evaluate their effects on marriage and family, restructuring those deemed detrimental.
Roger Severino, who serves as the Heritage Foundation’s vice president of domestic policy, expressed to The Independent the institution’s commitment to formulating “effective, principled solutions to seemingly intractable societal problems.” He noted the necessity of innovative solutions and national efforts to resolve the family crisis.
Kevin Roberts, the president of the foundation, emphasized the unity of family and national interests at a recent conference, stating, “Prudence recognizes that the interests of the family and the national interest are not merely aligned; they are one and the same. It demands that we ask of every policy, every proposal: Will this strengthen the American family?”
The proposed policies also critique modern reproductive technologies including egg freezing, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, and genetic screening. According to the foundation, reversing declining birth rates should focus on promoting marriage as opposed to relying on artificial methods. They attribute the decline to factors like “free love, pornography, careerism, the Pill, abortion, same-sex relations, and no-fault divorce,” as reported by the Washington Post.
In the political sphere, several Republican figures are echoing the foundation’s pro-family stance. Vice President JD Vance has voiced his aspiration to uplift the nation’s birth rate, stating, “I want more babies in the United States of America.” Similarly, President Trump has expressed support for measures such as a $5,000 baby bonus for new mothers, although some plans have reportedly been put on hold.
Despite distancing from Project 2025 during his campaign, President Trump has included several authors of the conservative strategy in his administration. His policies concerning immigration, education, diversity, equity, inclusion, and public broadcasting funding align closely with the foundation’s recommendations.
The evolving strategy of the Heritage Foundation indicates a broader Republican focus on addressing demographic shifts and reinforcing traditional family values across the nation.
