In a defining moment from three years ago, JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, mocked Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats as “childless cat ladies,” igniting discussions about family values and birth rates in the current election cycle.
The comments prompted the Harris campaign and her Democratic allies to label the Trump-Vance ticket as “weird,” creating pressure for the former president’s team to clarify their stance. Vance has consistently voiced concern over declining birth rates, asserting that if the trend continues, the United States may face significant challenges.
Vance has not issued an apology for his remarks, stating that his comments were misunderstood. He clarified that his critique was not about people without children, but rather those perceived as “anti-child.”
Throughout his public life, Vance has been vocal about his apprehensions regarding birth rates. In a 2021 address to a conservative audience, he suggested allowing parents to vote on behalf of their children, later describing this as a “thought experiment” rather than a formal policy proposal.
On the topic of abortion, Vance identifies as “pro-life” and has backed a federal bill to limit abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, allowing for certain exceptions. He currently champions Trump’s approach of leaving these decisions to individual states.
Vance has proposed increasing the child tax credit from $2,000 to $5,000. Recently, he faced criticism for missing a Senate vote on expanding the tax credit, which he labeled a “show vote” designed to highlight issues without genuine intent to pass legislation. This move was perceived as a response to his claims that the Democratic Party is “anti-family.”
Critiquing the Biden administration’s childcare policies, Vance argued that government interventions create incentives for parents to return to work, undermining those who wish to care for their children at home.
Vance has expressed admiration for Hungary’s initiatives under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán aimed at increasing birth rates and has suggested the U.S. adopt similar policies. Orbán’s administration has implemented various family support measures, including tax exemptions for mothers of multiple children and low-interest loans for couples planning to start families.
However, as Hungary’s economy falters, many of these benefits have been cut, raising concerns that the most significant advantages are reserved for the middle and upper classes. The universal family cash subsidy for lower-income families has remained stagnant despite rising inflation.
In 2022, Orbán’s controversial statements about preserving racial homogeneity in European societies drew international ire, positioning him firmly against immigration as a solution to demographic challenges.
Citing personal experiences, Vance has advocated for policies aimed at easing the challenges of parenting. He has shared the difficulties of his own childhood, raised by grandparents amid a backdrop of drug abuse in his family, and has noted his conversion to Catholicism as an adult.
Vance and his wife, Usha, are parents to three young children. Following her husband’s selection as Trump’s running mate, Usha left her law practice to support his political career.
The scrutiny Vance has faced over his past comments has prompted Trump to defend him, reiterating that Vance is “strongly family-oriented” and that having no family does not imply any deficiency.
Supporters of pro-natalist and pro-marriage policies have praised Vance for elevating this discourse and remaining committed to these ideas. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost acknowledged the novelty of Vance’s approach and encouraged him to temper his sarcasm while recognizing the importance of initiating this vital conversation.
