It’s time we fight for real family values, not the fake "family values" that the far-right uses as a smokescreen for homophobia and misogyny. We need compassionate and comprehensive support for all. Every family and individual deserves to thrive, which is why we must 1) implement a substantial child tax credit, 2) guarantee at least a year of paid parental leave, and 3) provide a monthly income and Social Security credits to stay-at-home parents.

One of the biggest legislative successes of this century was reducing child poverty by almost 50% with the passage of an expanded child tax credit, which Congress (including several Democrats) then let expire, plunging millions of kids into poverty. We must bring back the expanded child tax credit but that alone isn't enough. No person, especially a child, should live in poverty and the federal government must take as many steps as possible to lift people out of poverty and guarantee our basic needs.

Raising children is a form of labor and deserves to be compensated as such. I support federal implementation of programs to provide stay-at-home parents with a monthly stipend of at least $3,000, adjusted based on the number of parents and children in the household. Additionally, under my plan parents receiving these stipends would be able to use this income toward acquiring Social Security credits, a key step to guaranteeing a financially secure retirement.

In 2025, having and raising a child in America is a radical and courageous act. We can, and should, make it easier for Americans to create the family they want.