Agenda Offers a Vision to Support All Families as America Nears 250th Birthday
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) published her All-American Family Agenda, a set of policy priorities to ensure that family life in America is accessible and affordable for everyone by supporting family formation and strengthening family well-being.
On July 4th, America will celebrate its 250th birthday as a nation built on the principle that everyone has the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that governments are created by the people to secure these rights. Yet today, American families face real and serious strains as it becomes increasingly difficult to afford a home, childcare, college, health care, retirement and more. All the while, the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans’ actions to separate families and slash health care funding have continued to threaten the well-being of families across the country as they put forth policies to strengthen some families to the exclusion of others.
The All-American Family Agenda exists a Democratic counterpart to the Heritage Foundation’s Saving America by Saving the Family Report, which promotes an exclusionary definition of family and frames abortion and shifting gender norms as threats to family stability. McClellan’s agenda instead seeks to identify priorities through a family-focused lens and is intended for a post-H.R.1 world, one in which the Big Ugly Law’s cuts are reversed, and offers a vision for supporting American families.
“All American families deserve stronger support, and I propose a better path to provide it,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “I envision an America in which everyone is free to plan when, and whether, and how to start a family, free from the fear that a pregnancy may be too costly or complicated, and free to work and care for loved ones without living paycheck to paycheck. My agenda centers on adopting legislative priorities through a family-focused lens that does more than play into culture wars and partisan games, and I am grateful for all those who collaborated on the creation of this agenda to guide our priorities for years to come.”
The All-American Family Agenda is endorsed by Third Way, Families Forward Virginia, Birth in Color, National Medical Association, Voices for Virginia’s Children, Voices for Adoption and the National Medical Association.
“Every family deserves the chance to be healthy and financially secure,” said Third Way Deputy Director of Health Care Sandy Max. “The All-American Family Agenda speaks to the real pressures families are facing today, from health care costs and reproductive health to caregiving and the cost of everyday life. Third Way applauds Rep. McClellan’s leadership and her work in putting forward an agenda that gives families the freedom and support they need to thrive.”
“The All-American Family Agenda reflects an important evolution in how we think about strengthening families,” said Jamia Crockett, CEO of Families Forward Virginia. “At Families Forward Virginia, we’ve long believed that families don’t experience life through separate systems. They experience it as one journey. As we continue investing in children and families, our opportunity is to ensure those investments are intentionally connected, creating the conditions where every family has the opportunity not simply to succeed, but to truly thrive.”
“For far too long, we have treated maternal health as if it begins at the hospital doors. The reality is that healthy pregnancies are built in safe homes, stable jobs, supportive communities, and healthcare systems that value every family,” said Kenda Denia, Founder and Executive Director of Birth in Color. “At Birth In Color, we see every day how housing insecurity, financial stress, limited healthcare access, and systemic inequities shape pregnancy outcomes. The All-American Family Agenda reflects many of the solutions families have been asking for: stronger maternal healthcare, investment in community birth workers, reproductive freedom, housing stability, and policies that recognize every family’s dignity. Building healthier families requires all of us, and we are proud to stand behind efforts that move our country closer to that vision.”
“The National Medical Association believes the health of our nation begins with the health of its families. Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan’s All-American Family Agenda reflects a commitment to improving maternal health, protecting access to quality health care, and addressing the social conditions that shape health outcomes,” said Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD, President of National Medical Association. “As physicians, we know that healthy families build healthy communities, and healthy communities build a stronger America. We commend Congresswoman McClellan for advancing policies that invest in the well-being of families and move our nation closer to achieving health equity and healthcare justice for all.”
“At Voices for Virginia’s Children, we know that the best way to improve outcomes for children is to support the parents, caregivers, and families who nurture them,” said Allison Gilbreath, Sr. Policy and Programs Director of Voices for Virginia’s Children. “Policies that strengthen families—from maternal health and early childhood education to nutrition and economic stability—create the foundation every child needs to thrive.”
“As an organization dedicated to achieving permanency for children in foster care, Voice for Adoption welcomes a family-focused agenda that recognizes every path to family,” said Voices for Adoption. “Adoption doesn’t end when the paperwork is signed and strong post-adoption supports are critical to helping families thrive and ensuring children experience the lasting stability they deserve.”
The All-American Family Agenda centers on two pillars and involves:
Supporting Family Formation:
- Supporting Women’s Choice and Family Planning Freedom
- Improving Maternal Health Nationwide
- Supporting Every Path to Parenthood
Strengthening Family Well-Being:
- Making Family Life Economically Accessible
- Supporting Working Parents and Caregivers
You can read the full agenda here. Read the exclusive on the All-American Family Agenda from Once Upon A Hill here.