GOP splits over the Trump’s plan to pay stay-at-home-parents

Mabinty QuarshieSeptember 8, 2026

The Washington Examiner discusses a controversial proposal from the Trump management to reallocate funds aimed at low-income families toward supporting married households with a stay-at-home parent. This initiative, supported by Vice President JD Vance, involves the $12 billion Child Care and Advancement Fund, wich could provide up to $9,000 per child annually for eligible families. Unlike the original purpose of the fund in the 1990s-assisting low-income parents in workforce participation-the new plan targets married couples below certain income levels, with one parent working at least 35 hours per week.Unemployed single parents and cohabiting couples woudl not qualify. The proposal has sparked division among conservatives, some viewing it as an expansion of welfare. Additionally, the excerpt includes promotional content encouraging subscription to the Washington Examiner for full access to news and analysis, along with options for existing subscribers to log in.

A proposal from the Trump administration to divert funds for low-income families to help support married households with a stay-at-home parent has largely divided conservatives, some of whom claim the plan is an extension of the welfare state.

Supported by Vice President JD Vance, the $12 billion Child Care and Development Fund could potentially give families with a stay-at-home parent $9,000 per child per year. The proposal is a significant departure from the original fund idea, which was created in the 1990s to help low-income parents remain active in the workforce by subsidizing childcare. The proposed initiative would apply to married couples below a certain income threshold, with one parent who works at least 35 hours per week. Unemployed single parents or cohabiting couples would not qualify.