Overview

• The Trump administration is evaluating a $5,000 baby bonus proposal aimed at encouraging higher birth rates in the United States.
• Critics argue that the one-time payment falls far short of addressing the $13,000 average annual cost of raising a child in the U.S.
• Experts emphasize the need for broader policies such as paid family leave, affordable childcare, and expanded child tax credits to support families effectively.
• The United States remains one of only seven countries without paid maternity leave, forcing many new mothers to return to work shortly after giving birth.
• Past federal investments, like the 2021 American Rescue Plan’s $24 billion childcare funding, demonstrated measurable benefits but expired in 2023, leaving families without long-term support.