For decades, data scientists have warned about declining birth rates, the so-called “baby bust.” But until recently, those warnings fell on deaf ears. Overpopulation fears dominated the public conversation, making the idea of population decline seem implausible. That’s starting to change.
“In 2018, Lifeline Children’s Services partnered with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention to protect the Adoption Tax Credit. The ERLC not only helped draft key policy documents, they also opened doors and advocated alongside us on Capitol Hill. Thanks to this bipartisan, common-sense policy, thousands of families have provided permanent homes for children in need.”
Herbie Newell, president and executive director of Lifeline Children’s Services
A growing pro-natalist movement is gaining traction in American politics, with the Trump administration among those exploring incentives to encourage family growth. European governments have grappled with similar challenges for years, but their various programs have consistently failed to reverse the trend.
This debate often highlights our divisions, both within the pro-life movement and in society as a whole. We argue about which policies work, whose responsibility this is, and what role the government should play. But what if we started by investing in an area where we already agree?
Consider adoption. Despite the many practical ways we could make it more accessible, it remains an overlooked solution that is rarely prioritized in policy discussions or public debate.
One notable exception is the adoption caucus on Capitol Hill which stands as the largest bipartisan coalition in the U.S. government, largely due to the efforts of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). CCAI unites staunch Democrats like Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota with long-serving Republicans such as Senator Chuck Grassley.
Adoption is one of the few family issues that enjoys broad support across ideological and religious lines.
It’s more than just an alternative to abortion; it’s a profound, compassionate response to the needs of vulnerable children from around the world.
Read Herbie Newell’s full op-ed in The Baptist Paper here.
