This month, one of the things Democrats hoped to achieve was the approval of a legislative package allowing people continued access to IVF. 

This is the latest move in the push from Democrats looking to protect reproductive rights and comes two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The Senate voted on the matter Thursday afternoon, and the outcome was as many suspected. 

A ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court earlier this year classified embryos as children under state law, causing facilities in the state to stop providing fertility treatments. News quickly spread, and soon, the whole country had its eyes on Alabama. Fortunately, the Legislature later approved legislation that protects access to IVF in the state.

Democrats blamed what happened in Alabama on Republicans. The development had many worried that it would happen in other states, signaling a new phase in the fight for reproductive rights. According to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, what happened in Alabama has left many families afraid that basic services are not to be taken for granted. 

Several senators funded the package, even though they knew there was little chance the Senate Republicans had changed their minds regarding reproductive rights. These include Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Patty Murray of Washington, and Cory Booker of New Jersey. The package is focused on preserving the right to receive and provide IVF services while attempting to make those services more pocket-friendly

February saw an attempt by Duckworth to pass a bill that protects access to assisted reproductive services like IVF with unanimous consent. However, there was an objection from a Republican senator on the grounds that it would go too far.

Despite knowing the stance of Republicans on reproductive rights, the Democrats have continued to push for the passing of laws that protect them. Earlier this year, they attempted to pass a package that would have increased veterans’ access to fertility treatments; however, a Republican senator blocked a measure in it.

Last week, there was another attempt to promote reproductive rights for Democrats to advance legislation protecting access to contraception, but most of the Senate Republicans rejected it. One reason the Senate Democrats continue trying is to spread awareness about reproductive rights in preparation for the upcoming elections.

A day before Thursday afternoon’s vote, Schumer tagged it a “show-us-who-you-are vote,” and the Republicans have done just that. Sixty votes were required for the package to pass, but the vote ended in a 48-47 vote, meaning the attempt was also a failure thanks to the Republicans’ obstinacy.

The result of Thursday’s vote has shown where Democrats and Republicans stand on the topic of how embryos should be treated. The Republicans seem to imply frozen embryos must enjoy the same rights as living humans, which would make assisted reproductive services come off as somewhat inhumane. It is now apparent that their beliefs are different from those of the Democrats, and it will be challenging to find a solution that would end the conflict between both parties.

Not all Republicans seem to share the same thoughts concerning Reproductive rights. Two in the Senate, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and Alabama Representative Katie Britt, have also pushed for a package to safeguard IVF access and are trying to garner bipartisan support. Naturally, Democrats have been skeptical and have questioned the legislation’s scope and mechanism.

Cruz and Britt have tried to make it seem like they have a shared interest with Democrats on the topic of reproductive rights. However, some Democrats are having a hard time believing that calling it a “PR tool” and claiming the package they wanted to pass does not protect IVF even though they say it does. Many did not see the Democrats’ IVF package moving forward and were not far off point. The Republicans resisted its progress, but it is not the last time they will have to vote on such packages, as the Democrats are hellbent on preserving reproductive rights for all.