The Senate Democrats believe that a bill should be passed to allow the use of IVF nationwide. For the bill to be passed, the Senate Democrats need 60 votes. However, their plan failed because the Senate Republicans didn’t support the notion.
On June 13, the Senate Republicans voted against the bill. The total vote from the procedure was 48-47. Two State Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted in favor of the bill. Despite their support, they still couldn’t get up to 60 votes.
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The Senate Reacts to the Outcome of the Vote
The Senate Republicans criticized the legislation proposed by Democrats. To them, it was unnecessary. The Republican Sen. John Cornyn asked why it’s important to vote for a bill that doesn’t fix a problem that doesn’t exist. He went on to make it known that there’s no restriction whatsoever on IVF. On the other hand, the Democrats welcomed the vote to show voters the Republicans’ stance on reproductive health and abortion issues. Also, they are purposely highlighting the issue in June. This is because June makes it two years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade.
One of the Senate Democrats told Erin Burnett on a show that the Republicans are the people who hammered on overturning Wade, referring to when the Supreme Court decided to overturn the right to abortion. “We know what they’re up to. They want to get rid of IVF; they’re afraid to say it,” the Democrat said. Chuck Schumer mentioned that voting in support of the IVF bill should be the easiest “yes” vote the senators have taken. He stated that it’s absurd if some senators claim they are pro-family but block the bill to protect access to IVF. Senator Schumer wasn’t pleased with the Senate Republicans who voted against the bill. According to him, their decision was sponsored by the “MAGA hard right.”
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President Joe Biden Slams Republicans for Their Decision
Like Schumer, President Joe Biden isn’t pleased that Republicans voted against the IVF bill. Following a written statement, the president stated that the Republicans have yet again refused to pass a bill that allows fertility treatment for women who are unable to get pregnant. President Biden also said that the Republicans blocked nationwide access to birth control measures. The president added that the fact that the Senate Republicans don’t regard women’s right to make reproductive choices is outrageous.
The vote to support access to IVF came after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that people who destroy frozen embryos are liable to death in February. The Supreme Court passed this rule after it discovered that the embryos of some couples were destroyed at a fertility clinic. Apparently, the decision received criticism from individuals who advocate for reproductive rights.
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Republicans IVF Bill
Well, it looks like the Democrats are not the only ones with an IVF bill. The Republicans have decided to create theirs, too. Two Republican senators, Katie Britt and Ted Cruz, introduced a bill to protect IVF treatment rights. Another Republican senator, Sen. Joni Ernst, has also introduced another bill that suggests that people be granted access to contraception. Senators Britt and Cruz tried to pass their bill, but the Democrats blocked their effort.
Democrat Senator Patty Murray rejected the bill. Murray condemned it, saying that it could “enact burdensome and unnecessary requirements and create the kind of legal uncertainty and risk that would force clinics to once again close their doors.” One of the things the IVF bill Britt and Cruz intended to pass stated that any state that doesn’t grant access to IVF treatment wouldn’t receive Medicaid funding. Also, Democrats claim the Republican bill doesn’t protect access to IVF treatments.
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