The Senate is expected to take another vote on legislation next week that would expand access to and coverage of in vitro fertilization as Democrats look to pressure Republicans to take a stand on IVF policies former President Donald Trump has called for on the campaign trail.
Lawmakers have heightened calls for support for IVF and other fertility treatments in the aftermath of an Alabama Supreme Court decision that thrust the issue into the national spotlight.
Democrats argue that fetal personhood policies, like the one in Alabama, will continue to complicate other issues even beyond fertility treatments. Republicans have voiced support for IVF but are less united on a policy path forward, or if one is even necessary.
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., announced Thursday that the chamber will vote again on a legislative package that would establish a statutory right to IVF.
The Senate fell short of advancing the bill during a June procedural vote. At the time, Schumer changed his vote to “no” to allow the same bill to be reconsidered this Congress.
“The American people deserve another chance to see if Republicans are for access to IVF or are against it. It’s that simple,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Thursday.
The announcement follows increasing enthusiasm from Trump on the issue.
Two weeks ago, he used a Michigan campaign rally to announce that under his administration, “your government will pay for or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for all costs associated with IVF treatment, fertilization for women.” During Tuesday’s debate he repeatedly referred to himself as a leader on the issue.
The campaign had dodged releasing specifics of the plan, with Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, the GOP nominee for vice president, recently telling CNN that “all details get worked out in the legislative process and we’re not in the legislative process because we haven’t won yet.”
Democrats see that gap as an opportunity to bring up the IVF legislation after only two Republicans, Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, voted for their legislation. According to them, Trump’s announcement could put Republicans in a hard place, especially as Democrats fight to hold control of the chamber in November.
“Our bill should have passed in June, and it is more than good enough to pass now,” Schumer said. “Republicans can’t claim to be pro-family only to block protections for IVF.”
Senate Republicans are unlikely to change course during the vote next week, with several members having expressed at least some skepticism about even Trump’s proposal without additional details.
“Frankly, you know, we’re pushing them forward with this because my colleagues have been saying all along that they support IVF,” Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, the bill’s sponsor, said Thursday on CNN.
Earlier this year, Democrats had expressed concern that a floor vote on IVF could get bogged down with amendments that change the nature of the bill. Duckworth said if that happens next week, “it will be sending a very clear message that they truly don’t support access to IVF for all Americans. I hope that they don’t do that, but we’ll deal with that if it comes.”
Last week, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Trump’s proposal is “something I’m open to that most Republicans would be open to” but said he would need to look at the fiscal impact and how it would affect health care premiums before signing on board.
“All Republicans to my knowledge support IVF in the Congress,” he said on “Meet the Press.” At the same time, he called the Democratic proposal a “ridiculous messaging bill.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., took a firmer stance last week, voicing opposition to requiring insurance to cover IVF.
“There’s no end to that,” he said on ABC.
“I think he’s just trying to show his support for IVF treatments that, you know, we’ve been accused, the party has, of being a bit … against IVF treatments. We’re not,” said Graham, referring to Trump’s IVF push.
The post Schumer tees up second vote on IVF appeared first on Roll Call.
