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Alabama U.S. Senator Katie Britt accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of creating a “fall of fear-mongering” after a “summer of scare tactics” after Schumer announced the Right to IVF Act would return to the floor for another vote.
“Every Senate Republican strongly supports continued nationwide access to IVF, which is legal and available in every single state,” Britt said in a tweet.
The recent development comes shortly after President Trump stated during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris that he has been a strong advocate for IVF and has promised to expand access to fertility treatments.
Meanwhile, Democrats have criticized Republicans for state-level actions that have endangered access to these treatments, such as the Alabama Supreme Court’s February ruling that temporarily suspended IVF services.
In response, Senate Republicans have expressed general support for IVF but argue that the Democratic legislation on the issue is too extreme.
“Republicans can’t claim to be pro-family only to block protections for IVF,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Thursday when announcing the vote. “The American people deserve another chance to see if Republicans are for access to IVF or against it — it’s that simple.”
The Right to IVF bill was blocked by Senate Republicans just months ago. The package consists of four bills that center on a right to receive and provide IVF services while working to make the treatments more affordable.
Similar to the June vote, the Democratic package does not have good odds in the Senate. But Schumer will put Republicans on the record after the leader of their party voiced support for IVF treatments ahead of the election.
Britt and Texas Senator Ted Cruz created their version of an IVF bill that Democrats also blocked in June.
“@SenTedCruz‘s and my IVF Protection Act safeguards this continued nationwide access without undermining religious freedom. This is the bill that would be on the floor next week if Senator Schumer was serious about a pro-family solution rather than partisan ploys,” she said.
Britt’s bill says that states may not prohibit in vitro fertilization as a condition for the states to receive federal funding for Medicaid. It also does not compel any organizations or individuals to provide IVF services, and it also doesn’t prevent states from regulating IVF.
