As the U.S. faces a growing affordability crisis, it’s more important than ever for our leaders to support families and help them keep food on the table. To that end, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) recently introduced the bipartisan Supporting Newborn Parents Act of 2026. This bill would provide a refundable tax credit of $2,000 to parents of newborn babies to help ease the financial strain that often comes with welcoming a new child.
Between the cost of hospital bills, childcare, baby supplies, diapers, and more, welcoming a new child in the United States can be prohibitively expensive for many families. In 2026, with the costs of basic necessities like groceries and housing soaring, an entire generation of parents (particularly younger parents, who are only recently entering the workforce) risks bankrupting themselves just to have the kids they want. Starting a family shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for the wealthy; providing concrete financial support to new parents during this important time is a great way to support growing families when their income matters most, and we’re proud to endorse this bipartisan and common-sense legislation.
Combating the affordability crisis for families means fighting for a future where childcare is affordable, healthcare is accessible, and fresh, healthy food is available to parents and children alike. It also means working at every level of government to advance essential and comprehensive protections like paid family and medical leave, so that nobody is forced to risk their income or jobs when they have a new baby. A Better Balance continues to advocate for all of the solutions families need in order to thrive and maintain their financial security. As we work to ensure that Americans can afford to care for their families, the Supporting Newborn Parents Act would send a much-needed life raft out to new parents and promote positive outcomes for themselves and their children.