Research

In December 2023–January 2024, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on the GOSAFE Act (S.3369), federal legislation regulating gas-operated semi-automatic firearms. Combining a national survey of mothers across regions and the political spectrum with in-depth interviews, the study captured perspectives on fixed-capacity restrictions, federal manufacturing regulation, conversion device bans, and a voluntary buy-back program. Mothers identified gun violence as a serious crisis affecting children and families — with broad support for the bill among liberal and moderate mothers, more divided views among conservative mothers, and differing emphases on solutions.

In 2023, Count on Mothers conducted three studies on two landmark federal bills addressing children's safety on social media: the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA) and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Drawing on surveys of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, supplemented by an in-depth focus group, the studies captured firsthand views on minimum age requirements, algorithmic protections, data privacy, parental notification, and independent oversight of social media companies. Mothers showed near-universal cross-partisan support for both bills — with 96% saying KOSMA should become law and 98% supporting federal requirements to protect minors' data and remove addictive features. A consistent theme emerged: mothers view these bills not as a replacement for parental involvement, but as a structural safeguard for spaces families cannot monitor alone.

In September 2023, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on the Child Care for Working Families Act (S.1354), federal legislation expanding access to affordable childcare and preschool. The study combined a national survey of mothers across regions and the political spectrum with in-depth interviews with mothers from conservative, moderate, and liberal backgrounds to provide qualitative context. Mothers showed strong cross-partisan support for the bill — including consensus on preschool access, childcare affordability limits, and federal-state cost sharing — with more variation on eligibility thresholds and workforce compensation. The findings were shared with the public and Congressional legislators to inform deliberations on childcare policy.

In August 2023, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on the FAMILY Act (S.1714), federal legislation establishing a national paid family and medical leave program. Drawing on mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey captured firsthand experience with health, caregiving, and work-related leave. Mothers showed strong cross-partisan agreement on core paid leave protections — including up to 12 weeks of paid leave, job-return guarantees, and partial wage replacement — with more varied views on specific implementation provisions. The aggregated findings were shared with the public and Congressional legislators to inform deliberations on paid leave policy.