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Many on the right, particularly social and religious conservatives, are concerned about the US's declining birthrate.
Meanwhile, progressives are hoping to pass a transformational expansion of the social safety net that would make it easier for many Americans to have kids.
But Republicans appear dead set against Democratic proposals for paid family leave and universal childcare.
Welcome to the pandemic baby bust.
As many Americans found themselves trapped at home over the last year, some speculated the US would see a "baby boom." Instead, the public health emergency and economic crisis led to a collapse in the number of births. Experts predict there will be about 300,000 fewer babies born in the US in 2021 than there were last year.