45 years ago, during a yechidus with the Sadigura Rebbe, the Rebbe urged the Israeli government to pay parents for every child that is born to increase the birthrate. Now, in response to America’s declining birthrate, the Trump administration is considering that idea with a $5,000 “baby bonus.”
By Anash.org reporter
In response to America’s declining birthrate and aging population, the Trump administration is considering a $5,000 “baby bonus” to incentivize parents to have more children, according to a New York Times report. The proposal is part of a broader effort to address concerns about a shrinking workforce and continues a theme from President Trump’s 2023 campaign, during which he declared, “We will support baby booms and baby bonuses for a new baby boom.”
The Trump team has reportedly held meetings with pro-family activists, including an Orthodox Jewish figure, to explore ways to encourage family growth. Proposals under discussion include a one-time $5,000 payout per child, expanding child tax credits, and prioritizing married parents for federal assistance programs.
Other ideas discussed include launching parenting education programs aimed at empowering and encouraging families to have more children. The report noted that an official announcement could come within the next two to four weeks, as the administration finalizes details.
Interestingly, the idea of government-backed incentives for larger families is not new and was strongly championed by the Rebbe 45 years ago. On 4 Tammuz 5740 (1980), during a private yechidus with the Sadigura Rebbe, the Rebbe spoke passionately about the need for the Israeli government to increase grants for families with many children. The Rebbe urged the Sadigura Rebbe to get involved and stressed that this initiative must not be delayed.
“The government is spending $30,000 to bring one new family from the Diaspora,” the Rebbe said, “but at the same time, they are spending who knows how much to decrease birthrates. They’re sending social workers to discourage certain families from having many children. The first thing we need to do is make sure the government increases the grants to families with more children.” The Rebbe emphasized this should not be postponed “even one day.”
When concerns were raised that such benefits would go to Arab families as well, the Rebbe responded that, according to halacha, Jews have a responsibility to prevent abortions even among non-Jews. Supporting childbirth – even among non-Jews – is a fulfillment of that obligation.
WATCH:
I believe the Rebbe also asked US Senator Rudy Boshowitz to talk about having more children in the US Senate and have it recorded in the record.
He chazzered the Rebbe’s sichah to Neshei uBnos Chabad of 17 Sivan, 5740 (it was edited by the Rebbe in English). The original was then entered into the congressional record here https://www.congress.gov/bound-congressional-record/1980/08/27/senate-section (p. 23442-23443).