Latest news with #MarchForLife
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
6 Things Moms Want President Trump To Do To Make Child Care More Affordable
The Trump administration has been vocal about wanting couples to have more children. On Jan. 24, at the annual anti-abortion rally and march March for Life, JD Vance proclaimed, 'I want more babies in the United States of America.' President Donald Trump, pointing to the birth decline in the U.S, has said he wants to be the 'fertilization president.' Find Out: Read Next: Though men across the U.S. are raising kids, sometimes as single parents or with male partners, the act of childbearing falls exclusively on those with reproductive organs, and though not always, those people are predominantly cis women. And it's these women that the Trump administration, which has implemented executive orders to roll back the rights of transgender people, seems to be primarily addressing when they express their wishes for more American children. We know this because they're trying to find ways to incentivize women to have kids. One potential incentive Trump is mulling over is a $5,000 cash bonus to first-time mothers. It's money that would possibly make a difference to a lot of prospective mothers. Many U.S. moms — including those with health insurance — accrue medical debt from giving birth alone. Then there's the fact that the projected annual cost to raise a child born in 2025 is $29,419, according to a recent study by LendingTree — an increase of 25.3% since Lending Tree's 2024 study and up 35.7% since its 2023 study. This all leads us to ask what do mothers really want to see Trump do, not only to maybe incentivize other women to become mothers, but to help those already in the role of Mom to struggle less financially? Making child care more affordable is critical. Here's what they're hoping for — and they're not unrealistic measures. Liang Zhao, CEO at Vansary and a working mom to a 3 1/2-year-old daughter, returned to work days after giving birth because, as a sole proprietor at the time, paid leave wasn't an option. 'I know firsthand how the lack of affordable child care creates barriers for mothers and for economic growth,' Zhao told GOBankingRates. Zhao wants to see the Trump administration expand tax credits to support not nontraditional care models. 'A number of families rely on patchwork solutions these days — from nanny shares, part-time caregivers or child care at the gym even,' Zhao said. 'A more inclusive and increased amount for child and dependent care tax credit that covers expanded models would bring more relief without forcing parents into cookie cutter options.' Learn More: Currently, the U.S. does not have enough child care centers to accommodate demand. If the Trump administration wants to see more kids, it must provide more care centers for them to thrive. This means investing in child care center infrastructure. 'Just as roads, buildings, bridges and internet access create the infrastructure for a city to support communities, so does reliable child care,' Zhao said. 'Policies that support cities and communities in building care centers and job growth in this area would be a step in providing the support mothers/ parents need.' Some employers provide on-site child care, but these are few and far between. Incentivizing employers to provide on-site child care to its employees with children would be a tremendous step forward. 'A number of other countries subsidize companies to build on-site care centers, which boosts workplace participation, particularly amongst women,' Zhao said. 'A side effect of this type of policy could foster a culture where working parents are destigmatized.' On a related note, the Trump administration could also accommodate mothers by incentivizing companies to make remote work a standardized option. 'The truth is that, while most moms still want to pursue their careers, they are also not willing to completely give up their active roles as caregivers,' said Aaron Razon, personal finance expert at Coupon Snake. 'They want to have enough flexibility at work to allow them to be present at school events, doctor appointments, and other important milestones in their children's lives, without having to choose between their jobs and their families, and flexible work arrangements can help mothers achieve this harmonious balance.' Many couples opt to have one parent stay at home/not work while the other brings in a steady income. Stay-at-home parents need support, too. 'Moms want to see President Trump provide resources for stay-at-home parents and caregivers, like mental health support, parenting classes and respite care, because the truth is that staying home to care for children, though quite rewarding, can take a physical and emotional toll on parents and caregivers, affecting not only their mental health and relationships but also their overall quality of life,' Razon said. 'By providing resources to stay-at-home parents and caregivers, President Trump would be helping to alleviate the challenges they face, and making it easier for them to care for their loved ones and themselves more effectively.' Last but not least (if not most important) moms want to see federally sponsored parental leave policy. 'Parents in the U.S. need paid leave!' Zhao said. And this goes for self-employed/freelancing parents, too. More From GOBankingRates 6 Used Luxury SUVs That Are a Good Investment for Retirees How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region 7 Overpriced Grocery Items Frugal People Should Quit Buying in 2025 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines Sources Liang Zhao, Vansary Aaron Razon, CouponSnake This article originally appeared on 6 Things Moms Want President Trump To Do To Make Child Care More Affordable Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Post
08-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Pope Leo XIV in his own words: the pontiff on abortion, climate change, homosexuality, and capital punishment
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV is widely considered to be soft-spoken and cautious — but has not been shy in recent years about speaking out on hot-button issues, from the teaching of gender ideology in schools to climate change. Known as Robert Francis Prevost prior to his election Thursday as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, the 69-year-old Chicago native's views on several controversial topics can be gleaned from past social media posts (and reposts), public remarks and interviews with media outlets. 3 Robert Francis Prevost, who was born in Chicago, will now be known as Pope Leo XIV. REUTERS Climate change Like his predecessor, Francis, Leo XIV is a strong believer that the faithful have a responsibility to take care of the planet. The then-president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops argued in November of last year that it is time to move 'from words to action' on the 'environmental crisis.' 'Dominion over nature' should not become 'tyrannical,' Prevost stressed, arguing that man's relationship with the environment must be a 'relationship of reciprocity,' according to Vatican News. Prevost further cautioned against the 'harmful' environmental impacts of technological development and highlighted the Vatican's installation of solar panels and use of electric vehicles. Gender ideology and homosexuality While Francis famously told reporters, 'Who am I to judge?' gay people and said homosexuals 'must be integrated into society,' Leo XIV may be less accommodating. In a 2012 address to bishops, Prevost accused the news media and popular culture for encouraging 'sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel,' according to the New York Times. Among those 'beliefs and practices' Prevost cited were the 'homosexual lifestyle' and 'alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.' 3 The new pope has previously criticized Western culture for promoting the 'homosexual lifestyle.' AP While bishop of Chiclayo in northwestern Peru, Prevost opposed a government initiative to promote gender ideology teachings in schools.' 'The promotion of gender ideology is confusing, because it seeks to create genders that don't exist,' he told local news media at the time. Abortion On social media, Prevost has expressed strong support for the Catholic Church's anti-abortion stance. In 2015, Prevost posted a photograph from the March For Life rally in Chiclayo, exhorting his followers: 'Let's defend human life at all times!' Prevost also retweeted a 2017 Catholic News Agency article on New York Archbishop Timothy, Cardinal Dolan condemning abortion at a mass ahead of the March for Life rally in Washington, DC. In his homily, Dolan urged Catholics to 'reclaim the belief that the mother's womb is the primal sanctuary, where a helpless, innocent, fragile, tiny baby is safe, secure, nurtured and protected.' 3 'Let's defend human life at all times!' Prevost tweeted in 2015. AP Capital punishment Prevost has expressed opposition to capital punishment, reflecting the Catholic Church's position and Francis' commitment to see the practice ended worldwide. 'It's time to end the death penalty,' he wrote March 5, 2015, in an X post Euthanasia In 2016, Prevost reposted a Catholic News Agency article in which citizens of Belgium, where euthanasia is legal, urged Canadians not to support legislation that would allow for assisted suicides. ''Don't go there' – Belgians plead with Canada not to pass euthanasia law #Prolife,' read the tweet that Prevost shared. In the article, Belgian doctors, lawyers, and family members whose loved ones were euthanized argued that assisted suicide threatens the most vulnerable in society and compromises the doctor-patient relationship. Gun rights In October 2017, Prevost retweeted a call for new US gun control from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) after a gunman murdered 60 people in Las Vegas. 'To my colleagues: your cowardice to act cannot be whitewashed by thoughts and prayers. None of this ends unless we do something to stop it,' Murphy wrote in the tweet shared by the new pope.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia March For Life tees up constitutional amendment ahead of this year's elections
A crowd gathers outside of the state capitol for Virginia's March For Life on April 2, 2025. (Photo By Charlotte Rene Woods / Virginia Mercury) About 2,000 people gathered outside of the Capitol on Wednesday for the 7th annual Virginia March For Life, one of the largest anti-abortion demonstrations in the state. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was a keynote speaker, where she energized the crowd near the beginning of the event before they paced around the state Capitol in downtown Richmond carrying signs, banners and bullhorns. 'We stand for life and how can it ever be wrong to stand for life?' Earle-Sears asked. Abortion opponents and abortion rights groups have painted each other as 'extreme' or 'radical,' framing both Earle-Sears and Family Foundation president Victoria Cobb criticized. 'Are we really 'radical' for showing up here today to march on behalf of voiceless Virginians?' Cobb posited. Cobb also referenced an ongoing process to enshrine abortion protections into Virginia's constitution. The measure, which passed the legislature this year (and is not subject to gubernatorial approval) must pass again next year before appearing on statewide ballots for voters to approve or reject. She added that the constitutional amendment was 'barbaric' and reiterated that Republicans had offered an amendment to the amendment that outlines procedures for instances when an infant is born as the result of a 'botched abortion.' Democrats, who control both the House and Senate chambers, rejected the proposal, since infanticide is already prohibited by state code and federal law. In Virginia state code, 'partial birth infanticide' means 'any deliberate act that is intended to kill a human infant who has been born alive but has not been completely extracted or expelled from its mother.' It also 'shall not under any circumstances be construed to include' abortion procedures. Republicans had also offered an amendment to include parental consent requirements for minors, which Democrats also rejected since it is also already law. While Democrats have stressed that current law nor the amendment would allow abortion up to the 'moment of birth,' many Republicans and President Donald Trump have made such claims. As Democrats have coalesced around the amendment, Republicans have embraced a variety of limits or near-total bans in recent years. After some religious leaders led the crowd in prayer and gave speeches at Wednesday's march, Northern Virginia resident Shawnte Mallory shared her journey as a political advocate and mother of six. When she became pregnant with her third child, her then-boyfriend abandoned her and she became homeless. She was able to stay at a shelter, kept that pregnancy and has gone on to have other children. 'There is hope and there are resources,' she said. Likewise, Del. Delores Oates, R-Warren, shared her own experience with an unexpected pregnancy. Oates shared the same personal anecdote during this year's legislative session — each time relaying how proud she is of her now-adult son and how grateful she was for the support system of her mother and grandmother. 'I don't want any woman who's within hearing this message to miss out on incredible blessings that a child is in your life,' Oates said. While Mallory and Oates were able to lean on others around them and get support to keep their pregnancies, abortion rights advocates say not all pregnant people experience those opportunities. Those who favor abortion also point out that the procedure can be sought for various reasons or be medically necessary. Voters nationwide have backed abortion rights in Republican- and Democrat-leaning states, while a 2024 Pew Research poll found 63% of Americans support abortion in all or most cases. 'While a vocal minority rallies today at the Virginia March For Life, most Virginians support the right to make personal health care decisions without political interference,' Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia director Jamie Lockhart told The Mercury Wednesday. Although abortion isn't a wholly partisan issue, Virginia's own constitutional amendment has so far advanced on party lines, setting the matter up as a key issue in this year's elections for Virginia's House of Delegates. 'Our chance to stop the truly radical, unsafe, unlimited abortion amendment is to install a pro-life majority in the Virginia House of Delegates this year,' Cobb said. With all 100 seats in the chamber up for election this year, Virginia's governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general seats will also be on the ballot. Earle-Sears will face former delegate Dave LaRock and former senator Amanda Chase in a Republican primary for the governorship this summer before one of them goes against Democrat Abigail Spanberger in the fall. Reproductive health is expected to feature prominently in some of this year's elections. While not formally speakers at the Virginia March For Life, both LaRock and Chase were there and mingled with attendees. When they were members of the state legislature, both previously carried anti-abortion bills. Democratic Party of Virginia spokesperson Maggie Amjad said Earle-Sears' track record on reproductive health had earned her the March For Life keynote speech slot by 'supporting a dangerous agenda that would strip Virginia women of their right to make decisions about their own bodies.' DPVA has routinely lambasted Earle-Sears in recent months since she cast a tie-breaking vote in an attempt to shut down a right-to-contraception bill earlier this year. Democrats in the Senate had politically postured to force her vote on the matter before utilizing chamber rules to redo their vote and advance the bill. Youngkin signs bill to protect reproductive and sexual health data, amends right to contraception The bill's patrons say it's especially important, amid the potential overturning of U.S. Supreme Court cases that protect contraception access and the shifting national landscape around reproductive health at large. Following the overturn of cases that had protected abortion access, most notably the 2022 strike down of Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas expressed interest in revisiting contraception cases. The bill, by Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield and Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, would offer state-level protection should federal ones fall. As states around the nation have explored restrictions on contraception, abortion and in vitro fertilization, Virginia's pending constitutional amendment would address all three issues if voters are able to approve it next year. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
