Former Vice President Mike Pence has introduced a new policy plan for his campaign to put “America’s Families and Values First” during a speech in Washington D.C., on Sept. 15.
Mr. Pence’s plan emphasizes a range of policy proposals to address issues facing American families, including financial burdens, protecting the unborn, preserving traditional family values, and advancing school choice. The plan focuses on empowering parents and reducing government intervention in family matters.
“I believe there’s no greater threat to America’s future than the collapse of the traditional family,” Mr. Pence said to a crowd of conservative and religious attendees. “So I believe we must resolve here and now that we will elect leaders from the White House to the State House who will champion the traditional family.”
The plan’s economic agenda aims to tackle issues from inflation to declining wages and rising costs in various sectors, including food, energy, healthcare, and housing. Pence’s approach, outlined on his website, involves reining in government overspending; achieving a balanced budget; and extending and expanding tax cuts for middle and low-income families with children.
Mr. Pence said in his speech that federal spending has “launched the worst inflation in 40 years,” saying that “wages are falling, interest rates are rising,” and “mortgage rates are now at a 22-year high.”
The presidential candidate went on to assert that the cost of living has “gone through the roof” and that gasoline prices are up 60 percent due to the current administration’s “war on energy.”
“Today, more young people are delaying having a family altogether,” the former vice president said during his speech. “The share of never-married adults has tripled since 1980. People get married later and have children later in life, declining U.S. birth rates between 2007 and 2019.
“The number of babies born in America each year fell by 600,000 children ... These are not the signs of a thriving civilization. They are the hallmarks of decline.”
The plan also underscores Mr. Pence’s commitment to protecting the unborn. If elected, He intends to collaborate with Congress to enact a 15-week abortion ban, setting a minimum standard to safeguard unborn children nationwide. Additionally, the plan supports a constitutional amendment to enshrine the right to life in the U.S. Constitution.
Pence blames decades of big government programs for shifting parenting duties from parents to the government. His plan promotes parental authority over bureaucrats as well as outlining a plan for fairness in women’s sports.
Mr. Pence’s plan includes only allowing participation in sports for children in contests that match the student’s birth gender, according to the proposal. The former vice president also intends to safeguard children from permanent gender transition through executive orders defunding related programs and legislation banning it nationwide.
The plan emphasizes giving American families the freedom to choose the ideal school for their children. Pence suggests dismantling the Department of Education and giving parents and states funding and control. In his plan, tax dollars allocated to students could be used at any school, public or parochial, giving parents more control over their children’s education.
“There never has been a time when renewing American families has been more urgent. It’s the family, and it’s at the dinner table, and we pass along our timeless values of faith and hard work,” Mr. Pence said in his Friday speech, referencing a similar quote by former President Ronald Reagan.
“Every crisis we face is man-made and that man’s name is Joe Biden,” Mr. Pence went on, taking aim at the likely Democrat nominee in the 2024 presidential election. “Joe Biden has weakened this country at home and abroad. So we have to decide right here and right now that Joe Biden will never be reelected as president of the United States.”
Near the end of his comments, Mr. Pence encouraged those gathered to “remember to pray,” saying that “in these anxious times by prayer and petition to present your request to God.
“Request to restore this country to restore the family to restore the foundation that seems to be crumbling underfoot every day,” Mr. Pence went on. “And if you'll do that, I know the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds … I want to encourage you to all stand to vote.
“We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future, and we'll be there with you every step of the way. Until we win America back to everything it’s always been, prosperous and strong and free.”
