GOP Senators Vote Against Bill Safeguarding IVF

Article Summary –

Republican senators, with the notable exceptions of Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, voted against advancing federal legislation that would protect fertility treatments, including IVF, despite general public support for such measures. Democrats have criticized Republicans for their lack of consistent support for reproductive rights, accusing them of political gamesmanship, while Republicans argue the bill is unnecessary since IVF is already legal in every state. The ongoing debate highlights a tension within the GOP platform, which advocates for fetal personhood potentially conflicting with the support for IVF, as some states’ laws and interpretations of the 14th Amendment could impact access to reproductive technologies.

Ever since the Alabama Supreme Court declared embryos created via in vitro fertilization (IVF) children, Republicans, including Donald Trump, have voiced support for the procedure.

On Sept. 17, all Republican senators except Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against federal IVF protection. This was the second attempt by Democrats to advance the Right to IVF Act. The vote of 51-44 fell short of the 60 needed. Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate, missed the vote. The previous vote in June was 48-47 against it.

“Republicans already showed their stance against protecting IVF today,” DNC spokesperson Aida Ross stated. Julie Chávez Rodríguez criticized Trump and Vance for their absence, emphasizing Kamala Harris’s fight for reproductive rights.

Democrats aimed to highlight Republican opposition to reproductive rights through this bill, authored by Sen. Tammy Duckworth. Republicans argue the bill is unnecessary since IVF is legal in all states.

In an NPR interview, Duckworth agreed with Trump that IVF should be federally covered but pointed out state fetal personhood laws could obstruct it.

Pregnancy Justice notes 11 states have broad personhood language affecting state laws.

According to a Pew Research Center survey, over two-thirds of Americans support IVF access.

While Republicans claim support for IVF, their own policy platform implies otherwise. Mary Ziegler, legal expert, explained that if the 14th Amendment gives embryos full rights, laws protecting IVF could be overturned. In March, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law protecting IVF providers and patients.