Beyond 'childless cat ladies,' JD Vance has long been on a quest to encourage more births

Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance has long been on a quest to encourage more births.

Vance repeatedly expressed alarm about declining birth rates as he launched his political career in 2021 .

His criticism of Kamala Harris and other high-profile Democrats as “childless cat ladies” has drawn particular attention since Trump picked him as his running mate.

Vance has suggested people without children should pay higher taxes than people who have children.

JD Vance's views on birth rates have contributed to his rocky rollout as Trump 's running mate.

His wife has tried to do some damage control, saying Vance was not referring to those who struggle with fertility or can't get pregnant for medical reasons.

Trump has come to his defense, accusing Democrats of spinning things and expressing empathy for people who don't get married.

“My sister never had children, but I can’t imagine my vote means more than hers,” Carol Niemann said. ___ Associated Press writers Michelle R. Smith in Providence , Rhode Island , Mike Schneider in Orlando and Marc Levy in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , as well as Associated Press researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York , contributed to this report..