Heritage Foundation urges Federal Government to “Save adn Restore the American Familyâ€
A new plan from The Heritage Foundation calls for a significant shift in federal priorities, urging the government to actively support and strengthen conventional family structures. Published on Thursday and first reported by The Washington Post, the proposal marks a notable evolution for the conservative think tank, moving beyond its historical focus on limited government toward a more interventionist stance on domestic issues.
The report comes as conservatives seek to sharpen their focus on cultural issues heading into the midterm election year. Among the recommendations are a “marriage bootcamp†for cohabitating couples, a “global day of rest†modeled on existing blue laws, and a discouragement of online dating, based on research suggesting individuals who meet online are less likely to marry.
The plan’s authors,led by Roger Severino,Heritage’s vice president of economic and domestic policy,argue that the government’s role should be to “clear the weeds and prevent its policies and programs from poisoning the ground†when it comes to family formation. “Unluckily, except for radically redefining the institution, marriage is not currently a federal priority,†they wrote.
This push for government involvement in personal life comes after a period of internal turmoil for the foundation. Last year, Heritage President Kevin Roberts faced criticism for defending conservative commentator tucker Carlson’s interview with far-right activist Nick Fuentes, who is known for his antisemitic views. The controversy led to resignations from within the organization, highlighting internal divisions.
The core tenet of the new report is that policy should “encourage and protect the formation of families, not mere fertility.†It specifically recommends against policies that “undermine marriage and the formation of families, or reward or encourage needless delay in marriage and out-of-wedlock births.†The report further suggests that tax codes should not disadvantage married couples and that education policies should not encourage young people to postpone marriage in pursuit of credentials.
To enact thes changes, the report calls on President Trump to issue a series of executive orders. These orders would require all federal grants, contracts, policies, and regulations to explicitly assess their impact on marriage and family, block any actions that discriminate against family formation, and prioritize those that support American families.
Not all experts agree with the report’s recommendations. Eric Rosswood, author of “Journey to Parenthood: The Ultimate Guide for Same-Sex Couples,†acknowledged agreement with some of Heritage’s concerns, such as food insecurity and the lack of affordable childcare. However,he strongly disagreed with the proposal to provide subsidies solely to married families or the assertion that children are best raised by biological parents. “I think what’s due to them is a family that’s going to provide for the children and take care of the children,†Rosswood stated, emphasizing that effective parenting is not defined by gender or genetics.
The Heritage Foundation’s influence has been growing, especially during President Trump’s second term with the development of project 2025, a complete blueprint for overhauling U.S. policy. While Trump initially distanced himself from Project 2025 during his 2024 campaign, some of its principles have already been implemented, including the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency and the dissolution of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Vice President JD Vance has also been a vocal advocate for policies supporting family formation, praising Roberts’ vision in the forward of his forthcoming book, “Dawn’s Early Light,†and calling Heritage “the most influential engine of ideas for Republicans.†Vance has proposed ideas such as allowing parents to vote on behalf of their children and offering low-interest loans to married couples with children.
The report also addresses the issue of in vitro fertilization (IVF),acknowledging its benefits but arguing against its use outside of marriage. The authors express concern over a “babies-at-all-costs mentality,†stating it would come at a moral and spiritual cost by denying a child the right to be raised by a mother and father within a marital relationship.
This stance appears somewhat at odds with President Trump’s recent actions. In the first month of his second term, he signed an executive order aimed at reducing the costs of IVF, and in october, his administration issued guidance allowing companies to offer fertility benefits separately from major medical insurance plans. A deal was also struck with EMD Serono to lower the cost of a common fertility drug. The issue of IVF access gained prominence during the 2024 campaign following a ruling in Alabama that initially threatened IVF providers with legal liability.
Heritage also commended Trump for promising to address the “root causes†of infertility. The White House did not immediately comment on the report or any potential collaboration with the administration.
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