Two Republican senators introduced a new bill aiming to safeguard access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), also known as IVF. This comes after a previous attempt by Senate Democrats to protect IVF access failed in February.
Alabama Senator Katie Britt and Texas Senator Ted Cruz have co-sponsored a bill called the “IVF Protection Act.” The bill, three pages in length, was introduced on Monday.
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“This legislation is a practical and sensible affirmation of the values we hold dear – the sanctity of life and the importance of individual freedom,” expressed Britt in a joint statement with Cruz. Cruz further emphasized his pride in partnering with Britt, stating that in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been a source of incredible hope for millions of Americans, granting families the precious gift of children.”
States would no longer be eligible for Medicaid funding if they have implemented a complete ban on IVF. The bill explicitly states that states “shall not prohibit in vitro fertilization services” and must ensure that no local government within the state prohibits such services.
Republicans have been struggling to unify their stance on abortion, especially following a significant ruling by Alabama’s Supreme Court in February. The court’s decision declared that frozen fertilized embryos are legally recognized as children in the state. Consequently, this bill has emerged, adding further complexity to the ongoing debate surrounding reproductive rights.
The ruling on Alabama IVF has sparked widespread criticism and concern from civil rights and medical organizations across the country. In response, the Republican-controlled legislature moved swiftly to address these concerns by passing an IVF protection bill. Governor Kay Ivey, a pro-life Republican, wasted no time in signing the bill into law.
The Britt-Cruz legislation is an extension of the previous efforts made by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who introduced a bill in February to safeguard IVF treatments across the country. However, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., promptly blocked the bill following the Alabama ruling.
During a television appearance on Monday, Cruz criticized Duckworth’s bill, arguing that it aims to introduce broader abortion legislation through the backdoor. He highlighted the purpose of his and Britt’s bill, which is solely focused on protecting in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cruz emphasized that the bill acknowledges the fact that 2% of live births in the United States are a result of IVF.
According to Cruz, Duckworth’s IVF bill was overly expansive, prompting no support from Republicans. He asserted that the bill was designed to grant the federal government control over abortion.
According to Cruz, the Alabama ruling caused a great deal of confusion, fear, and misunderstanding among the people. He emphasized that the diverse range of opinions on abortion is a clear indication that it should be decided at the state level. This aligns with former President Donald Trump’s stance on abortion, as he has also expressed his belief that it should be a state issue on multiple occasions.
“The IVF bill should receive strong bipartisan support,” stated the Texas Republican when discussing the potential for his Senate colleagues from both parties to vote in favor of the bill alongside Britt.
On social media Monday afternoon, Cruz accused Democrats and the media of callously manipulating the Alabama IVF ruling to attack Republicans over IVF.
According to Cruz, during an interview with NewsMax, all 100 senators are in support of IVF, making it a bipartisan bill.
According to Sawyer Hackett, a Democratic strategist, the bill proposed by Cruz and Britt has two issues. First, it fails to provide any protection for in vitro fertilization (IVF) from being affected by courts enforcing ‘personhood’ laws, as seen in the recent Alabama ruling. Second, the bill explicitly permits states to impose ‘health and safety standards’ on IVF.
“Clear as day,” emphasized U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a Democratic contender for the 2024 Senate race against Cruz. In a recent statement on X, Allred, a representative from Texas, made his position known.
Ted Cruz’s unwavering endorsement of a highly restrictive ban on abortion poses a significant threat to Texas families who rely on in vitro fertilization (IVF).
