Competing bills on IVF access face uncertainty in Senate

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Competing bills in the Senate seek to protect in vitro fertilization, but in very different ways. Democrats and Republicans are at an impasse on how to pass legislation on the issue.

On Capitol Hill, many lawmakers have a personal story about IVF.

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) often shares how she used IVF to have her own children.

“IVF is the reason that I’ve gotten to experience the chaos and beauty, the stress and the joy that is motherhood,” Duckworth said.

Meanwhile, Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) explained how his daughter is currently using IVF.

“I have a daughter going through IVF right now. As a grandparent you hope that she’s successful,” Scott said.

However, Republican and Democratic lawmakers have opposing views about what to do when it comes to protecting IVF access at the federal level.

Senate Democrats are teeing up a Thursday vote on their ‘Right to IVF Bill,’ which would establish a federal right for patients to access IVF and for doctors to provide it.

“Tomorrow will be a chance for senators on both sides to show their support for strengthening treatments that help people start families,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said.

Though, it’s not expected to get enough Republican support to pass. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) says he believes the Democratic bill infringes on religious freedoms and goes too far.

“This isn’t about IVF. This is about their continuing war on people of faith, their continuing war on anybody who won’t go along with their abortion agenda,” Hawley said.

Senator Rick Scott accuses Democrats of playing political games with the issue.

“They want to have a message, ‘oh Republicans are against something’. Republicans aren’t against IVF. I don’t know one Republican in the country against IVF,” Scott said.

Some Republican lawmakers are pushing their own IVF bill that would block federal Medicaid funding in any state that bans IVF.

But Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) argues that bill would still allow states to put burdensome restrictions on IVF.

“That bill is nothing more than a PR stunt, providing cover for Republicans to keep somehow pretending they’re going to control women’s bodies,” Murray said.

Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) says Republicans who want to protect IVF access should join the Democratic effort instead.

“If they support IVF, they’ll vote for the bill that’s on the floor today,” Kaine said.

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