Senate Democrats to push for IVF protection vote in election year effort

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is preparing to vote again on a bill that would create a national right to in vitro fertilization (IVF) amidst rising political tensions surrounding women’s health issues. This marks the second attempt within the year by Democrats to leverage the topic for electoral advantage against Republicans.

The Senate will cast its vote on the legislation on Tuesday, but its prospects for passage are dim. Republicans successfully blocked a similar bill earlier in the year, and many anticipate the same outcome again. Nonetheless, Democrats see this vote as an opportunity to challenge Republican congressional candidates and draw stark contrasts between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential contest. Trump has recently claimed a leadership role in advocating for IVF.

The push for these protections gained momentum after a ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court earlier this year determined that frozen embryos could be treated as children under state law. This ruling led several local clinics to halt IVF treatments. In response, the Republican-led legislature quickly formulated a law to protect these clinics legally.

During this period, Democrats seized upon the situation, initiating a vote in June on a proposal spearheaded by Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois. They cautioned that, following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, IVF could be the next target for judicial scrutiny. The proposed legislation aims not just to secure access to IVF but also to make it more affordable.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, highlighted the urgency of the matter, stating on the Senate floor on Monday, “The hard right has set its sights on a new target.”

Dissatisfaction among Republicans was notable, as nearly all opposed the initiative, asserting that it infringes on states’ rights regarding medical practices. They characterized the bill as lacking seriousness and substance.

Meanwhile, Republicans are working to address the public’s concerns about IVF, asserting their support for the procedure. Trump announced plans recently, albeit vaguely, to mandate that health insurance providers or the federal government cover IVF, reflecting a shift in the narrative.

In a recent debate, Trump proclaimed himself a “leader” on the IVF front and criticized the Alabama court’s decision, which has since been overturned by the state legislature.

However, this topic has emerged as a potential liability for Republicans, given the implications of some of their own state laws, which bestow personhood not just upon fetuses but also upon embryos that may be discarded during IVF procedures.

Senator Duckworth, a military veteran who has personally benefitted from IVF in her journey to motherhood, has taken the lead in advocating for the legislation. She expressed frustration directed at GOP members following their initial opposition, saying, “How dare you.”

In their response, Republicans have endeavored to propose alternative solutions, including measures aimed at dissuading states from implementing outright bans on IVF. Notably, these attempts have faced resistance from Democrats, who argue that such measures do not go far enough.

Republican Senators Katie Britt of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas sought to advance a proposal in June that would threaten Medicaid funding for states imposing bans on IVF. During discussions, Senator Rick Scott from Florida shared a personal connection to the issue, revealing that his daughter was undergoing IVF treatment, and suggested enhancing the utility of health savings accounts as a remedy.

With the political landscape shifting rapidly, Cruz, currently campaigning for reelection in Texas, criticized Democrats’ moves as a “cynical political decision,” reflecting the ongoing debate surrounding reproductive rights and healthcare access.