Trump Baby Bonus a Good Start but Compassion Offers a Better Finish
As the national conversation continues around America’s declining birthrate, the recent proposal by President Donald Trump to offer a $5,000 “baby bonus” presents an opportunity to address the pressing need for financial support for women choosing to have children.
Emily and Nathan Berning, co-founders of Let Them Live, firmly believe that every life is a gift, and every mother deserves the support and resources necessary to embrace the beautiful responsibility of raising children. However, we know that many women today are facing overwhelming economic challenges that make parenthood feel unattainable. A growing number of women are delaying or forgoing children, not because they do not want them, but because the financial burden of raising a family in the U.S. is simply too great.
The reality is that a one-time payment of $5,000, while not a comprehensive solution, could be a meaningful first step in alleviating the pressure many women face when considering growing their families. It is not about encouraging women to have children for the sake of it; it’s about offering them a financial hand-up so they can feel more secure in making the choice to bring a new life into the world. A mother’s decision to have a child is often influenced by practical concerns such as healthcare costs, childcare, and the stability of her family’s finances.
Consider the impact that this bonus could have:
- Helping Women Make a Life-affirming Decision: Many women want to have children, but they are paralyzed by the economic hurdles that come with raising a family. A $5,000 bonus could give a mother the confidence to proceed with her pregnancy, knowing that she has some financial cushion to help ease the initial costs of childbirth and early parenting.
- A Start, Not the End: This policy doesn’t solve all the systemic issues women face, but it is a clear message from the government that they want to support mothers and families. It is a signal of commitment to life—a step toward addressing the root causes of why so many women feel they cannot afford to have children.
- Impact on Lower-income Families: Research has shown that direct cash bonuses, like the one proposed, can have a meaningful impact on lower-income families, helping them stabilize financially, especially in the crucial early years of raising children. Many women, especially in underserved communities, would see this bonus as a much-needed lifeline.
While the challenges women face in raising families today are multifaceted—ranging from unaffordable childcare to skyrocketing housing costs—this proposal signals a starting point. We fully recognize that $5,000 alone cannot solve everything, but it can be the encouragement many women need to feel supported and empowered in their decision to choose life.
We hope this initiative sparks broader conversations about how our country can better support families. Our nation has the resources to invest in life, and it starts with offering meaningful, tangible support to those who bring new life into the world.
We look forward to discussing how this proposed policy could create a more life-affirming society, with women empowered to have the children they want, without sacrificing their economic security.
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OPTIONAL Q&A
- Is a one-time $5,000 baby bonus enough to help women in true crisis pregnancies?
- What kinds of long-term support do pregnant women need beyond a financial incentive?
- How can policymakers better support moms who feel they have no options or resources?
- Do you believe the baby bonus could help reduce abortion rates—and if not, what would?
- What role do pregnancy resource centers play that government programs often overlook?
- How can pro-life and pro-choice advocates find common ground on supporting pregnant women?
- What are the most common needs of women you work with—and are they being addressed by current proposals?
- What would a truly pro-woman, pro-child policy look like in practice?
ABOUT EMILY BERNING…
Emily Berning is the President and Co-Founder of Let Them Live, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to saving lives from abortion by financially supporting women in crisis pregnancies. She has been involved with the pro-life movement for over 8 years and her greatest passion in life is giving pregnant women the support they need to choose life. Emily holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Colorado State University and met her husband, Nathan, the summer after she graduated. They started Let Them Live together in 2018 and have grown it to a team of 50 staff and 100+ volunteers that has helped almost 1000 women cancel their abortions and choose life. Emily and Nathan love working together and recently wrote a book about their experiences with Let Them Live that released in the fall of 2023: “Let Them Live: How Saving One Life from Abortion Sparked a Movement”
ABOUT NATHAN BERNING…
Co-Founder & Executive Director of Let them Live. Nathan’s organization has saved over 1000 babies by removing financial barriers to life, raising millions of dollars in donations via remote crowd funding. Implemented fully remote model, which connected donors with mothers in crisis. Nathan did this by using real-time data tracking and digital case management. Worked with Dr. Ben Carson and his senior staff to refine the campaign’s national message, raising candidate visibility among conservative and faith-based constituencies. Nathan is a pro-life innovator and grassroots advocate with a proven capacity to deploy technology, messaging, and policy for transformative social impact. Rare combination of a background in Silicon Valley entrepreneurship and a pro-life message. Nathan’s website is www.LetThemLive.org
ABOUT TACARA MCKAY…
Tacara McKay is a passionate and dedicated communications professional currently serving as the Communications Director for Let Them Live, a non-profit organization providing vital support to mothers facing crisis pregnancies. As a mother of three, Tacara deeply understands the importance of nurturing and protecting life, a personal conviction that fuels her commitment to the pro-life cause.
Prior to her role at Let Them Live, Tacara demonstrated her dedication to service as a Marine. Her commitment to advocating for the vulnerable led her to collaborate with pro-life organizations to expose corrupt abortion clinics in Michigan. Leveraging her expertise in social media and public relations, Tacara is a vocal pro-life activist, utilizing her platform to raise awareness and inspire action in defense of the unborn.
Her unique perspective as a mother, a former Marine, and a seasoned communications professional makes her a compelling voice on issues related to women’s health, pregnancy support, and the pro-life movement. Tacara is available to discuss the work of Let Them Live, the challenges faced by women in crisis pregnancies, and the broader landscape of the pro-life movement.
ABOUT TASHA KING…
Tasha King serves as the Director of Counseling at Let Them Live, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting women in crisis pregnancies. With five years of service to the organization, Tasha has become a leading voice in the pro-life counseling space. She began her work on the frontlines, personally guiding over 150 women through unplanned pregnancies, offering emotional, financial, and practical support during life-altering moments. Now in a leadership role, she oversees and continues to expand the counseling program, ensuring every woman receives compassionate, comprehensive care. Her work has helped shape one of the largest and most effective pro-life counseling programs in the country.
As a devoted mother of five daughters, Tasha’s personal experiences fuel her passion for life and advocacy. She brings a unique blend of empathy, grit, and strategic vision to her role-qualities that have earned her respect across the movement. Tasha is frequently sought after for her insight into maternal support, crisis intervention, and building sustainable systems of care for vulnerable women. Her voice continues to elevate the conversation around real- world solutions to abortion and the importance of long-term support for mothers.
CONTACT: To schedule an interview, contact Todd Baumann of Special Guests PR Agency at 512-966-0983 or Bookings@SpecialGuests.com.
