The US Senate on Tuesday failed to advance legislation aimed at establishing a nationwide right to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) after Republicans blocked it for the second time this year. The 51-44 vote fell short of the 60 votes required, with only two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voting in favour of the bill.
Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the Republicans' actions, saying they made it clear once again that they would not protect access to the fertility treatments many couples need to fulfil their dream of having a child. President Biden echoed these concerns, calling the refusal to safeguard access to fertility treatments "outrageous and unacceptable."
Democrats, led by Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, criticised Republicans for what they described as hypocrisy, arguing that while many GOP members claim to support IVF, they refuse to back legislation that guarantees its availability. "They say they support IVF—here you go, vote on this," Duckworth said, drawing on her own experience with fertility treatments.
The push for this legislation gained momentum following a controversial ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court, which classified frozen embryos as children. In response, several IVF clinics in Alabama suspended their services until the state legislature intervened. Democrats sought to highlight the risks to reproductive rights, particularly after the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Republicans defended their position, arguing that the federal government should not dictate state policies and dismissed the bill as a political stunt. South Dakota Senator John Thune insisted that Republicans do support IVF, yet raised concerns about federal overreach.
Last month, Donald Trump told NBC News that under his administration, IVF treatments would be covered by insurance companies. “We’re going to be mandating that the insurance company pay,” he said. His proposal took advisers by surprise, with one campaign insider describing it as "unexpected."
Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the Republicans' actions, saying they made it clear once again that they would not protect access to the fertility treatments many couples need to fulfil their dream of having a child. President Biden echoed these concerns, calling the refusal to safeguard access to fertility treatments "outrageous and unacceptable."
Yet again, Senate Republicans refused to safeguard access to fertility treatments for women trying to get pregnant.
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 17, 2024
Republican officials have had every opportunity to protect reproductive freedom – from IVF to contraception – but they refuse to do so.
The disregard for a…
Democrats, led by Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, criticised Republicans for what they described as hypocrisy, arguing that while many GOP members claim to support IVF, they refuse to back legislation that guarantees its availability. "They say they support IVF—here you go, vote on this," Duckworth said, drawing on her own experience with fertility treatments.
The push for this legislation gained momentum following a controversial ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court, which classified frozen embryos as children. In response, several IVF clinics in Alabama suspended their services until the state legislature intervened. Democrats sought to highlight the risks to reproductive rights, particularly after the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Republicans defended their position, arguing that the federal government should not dictate state policies and dismissed the bill as a political stunt. South Dakota Senator John Thune insisted that Republicans do support IVF, yet raised concerns about federal overreach.
Last month, Donald Trump told NBC News that under his administration, IVF treatments would be covered by insurance companies. “We’re going to be mandating that the insurance company pay,” he said. His proposal took advisers by surprise, with one campaign insider describing it as "unexpected."
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