The election is over. Now it’s time to deliver for American families

With the midterm elections behind us, Washington’s attention is turning to the next Congress and the policies that will shape the country’s future. But amid the conversations about political victories, legislative priorities, and party leadership, one issue deserves greater attention: how we support American families.For those who champion pro-life values, the responsibility doesn’t end when a child is born. Mothers, fathers, and children must thrive long after leaving the hospital. Parents need the resources, flexibility, and support to raise their children.From Sept. 13-15, mothers from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C., for a three-day advocacy fly-in, meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss paid family leave, financial pressures facing new parents, and greater freedom in childcare decisions. Now, as lawmakers prepare for a new congressional session, those conversations should translate into meaningful policy priorities.Fortunately, this work isn’t starting from scratch. Across the country, churches, pregnancy resource centers, private foundations, and nonprofit groups already provide critical assistance to expectant mothers and families. From baby supplies and counseling to housing and financial assistance, these organizations make a difference every day.Their work is invaluable. But we have an opportunity to build upon those efforts through a more unified approach that brings together community support, private-sector innovation, and thoughtful public policy.That is the vision behind the Blueprint for Life Coalition, which brings together organizations committed to practical, family-focused solutions that support parents beyond pregnancy and childbirth. Through this partnership, Moms for America launched Real Moms. Real Stories. Real Support. (mfa-pro-life.com), a campaign highlighting the firsthand experiences of mothers whose stories demonstrate why these conversations matter.Angelina Banks of Pennsylvania described the anxiety she experienced preparing for her child’s arrival without a financial safety net: “Near the end of my pregnancy, working out the financials, I felt there was a lot of undue stress … knowing that I wasn’t going to have a cushion.”Without paid leave, Angelina continued working despite mounting financial anxiety, ultimately suffering an injury at work.No mother should feel forced to choose between her health and her family’s financial security. Giving parents more time with their newborns is one place to start. Those first weeks are critical for recovery, bonding, and adjusting to life with a new baby. Yet many parents lack sufficient paid leave or simply cannot afford to take unpaid time off.Congress has already made real progress. The 2025 tax law raised the child tax credit to $2,200 per child, made the employer tax credit for paid family leave permanent, and expanded help for working parents who pay for childcare. Those are important wins, and the next Congress should build on them. One practical next step is strengthening incentives for employers to provide paid family leave. Encouraging businesses to offer additional time off, rather than imposing costly mandates, could help families while recognizing the financial realities facing small employers.Time away from work, however, is only part of the equation. New parents also need financial breathing room. Hospital bills, postpartum care, diapers, clothing, and other necessities add up quickly, even for families who carefully plan for a baby.Lauren Cummings of North Carolina experienced this firsthand: “After a week in the hospital, the bills kind of started piling up. That plus all the expense that come with creating life: the nursery, toys, books, all the clothing. That all adds up.”Lauren also emphasized the importance of supporting families responsibly without placing undue burdens on small businesses.Expanding family-focused tax credits, including additional relief for expenses associated with welcoming a newborn, could help parents manage these costs. Putting more resources directly into families’ hands allows them to decide where that support is needed most.One proposal worth considering is a refundable newborn tax credit for each baby, in addition to the existing child tax credit. Parents could claim it at tax time or request an advance payment shortly after birth, when many of the bills arrive.Families also deserve greater freedom in choosing how their children are cared for. Traditional daycare is important for many working families, but it isn’t the right choice for everyone. Some parents prefer to stay home, while others rely on grandparents or trusted relatives. Tax benefits should better recognize those choices rather than favoring one childcare arrangement over another.For Anne Funder of New Jersey, family support was essential following her C-section. “I had to have my mom fly out from the other side of the country to help,” Anne recalled.Her experience reminds us that grandparents and relatives often provide invaluable care. Expanding childcare-related tax benefits to recognize different family arrangements, including stay-at-home parents and relative caregivers, could give families greater flexibility and encourage more affordable options.These aren’t abstract policy debates. They affect whether a mother can recover after childbirth, whether parents can afford necessities, and whether families have the freedom to make decisions that work for them.Strengthening families requires more than any single policy or organization. Private charities, churches, foundations, and community organizations will always have an essential role. Their work should be strengthened, not replaced. But thoughtful public policy can complement those efforts by addressing workplace flexibility, financial pressures, and childcare affordability.The mothers who traveled to Capitol Hill in September weren’t asking lawmakers to prescribe one way to raise a family. They were asking for practical solutions that make welcoming a baby, recovering from childbirth, and raising children more manageable.The election may be over, but the opportunity to act is just beginning.As the next Congress establishes its priorities, supporting families should mean more than a broad commitment to family values. It should mean advancing policies that give parents more time, greater financial stability, and the freedom to raise their children according to their needs.RESTORING AMERICA: THE FUTURE FOR PRO-LIFE AMERICANS IS FAR MORE CONSEQUENTIAL THAN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONSThe pro-life movement has spent decades advocating the protection of unborn children. If we truly believe children are a blessing and families are the foundation of our country, our commitment to protecting life must be matched by an equally strong commitment to supporting the families who welcome it.The election is over. The work of supporting America’s families is not.Raquel Mitchell is the deputy director of Moms for America Action.