President Donald Trump has teased the idea of a new government benefit: a one-time $5,000 bonus to every parent upon the birth of a child.
This “baby bonus” would mirror policies in many European countries and be separate from the annual child tax credit.
With the U.S. birth rate at a record low and continuing to fall, the Trump administration is considering pro-natal policies. Evidence suggests that the most effective way for a national government to boost birth rates is not through targeted measures such as universal daycare or mandated maternity leave, but by providing substantial cash payments to parents for each child they have.
However, the idea of cash-for-kids is facing criticism from multiple directions. Fiscal conservatives argue that the country cannot afford it, while
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