'Choosing misinformation over fostering hope': Senate Democrats block Katie Britt's IVF Protection Act for a second time

U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Ted Cruz today moved for immediate passage of their IVF Protection Act first introduced in May.

After Senate Democrats blocked the legislation for a second time, Britt (R-Montgomery) bashed the group for “choosing to spread misinformation rather than fostering hope.”

The legislation being pushed by the two lawmakers would ensure that no state bans access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) services. However, it does not force any person or organization to provide IVF services, and it permits states to implement health, and safety standards regarding the practice of IVF.

Under the language of the act, states would be ineligible to receive Medicaid funding if they banned access to IVF.

Disappointed that Dems blocked @SenTedCruz & my IVF Protection Act today for the 2nd time. Our bicameral bill would safeguard continued nationwide IVF access, but Dems chose politics over families.

Americans deserve better. We'll keep fighting for solutions, not scare tactics. pic.twitter.com/BmYwV4LdEn

— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) September 17, 2024

“For many Americans, building a family, becoming a mom or a dad, that’s their American Dream,” said Britt. “IVF makes the difference in achieving that dream for millions of Americans who are facing infertility.”

“IVF is legal and available from coast to coast, in every single corner of America, and in all 50 states. That includes my home state of Alabama, where Governor Ivey and the Alabama Legislature acted quickly to protect IVF access. Today we have an opportunity to act quickly and overwhelmingly to protect continued nationwide IVF access for loving American families. Our IVF Protection Act would do just that.”

Britt noted that her legislation protects both IVF access and religious liberty.

“It could get 60 votes in the United States Senate and isn’t that the point? Yet, we’re going to have a show-vote when we’ve been talking and saying that we want to protect access to IVF, but yet no one is working to actually get to the 60-vote threshold, which makes me wonder how serious my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are about this.”

Readily available IVF services for couples wanting to start a family are crucial, according to the Senator.

“In an era of hyper-partisanship, this bill, the IVF Protection Act, should be the one that’s on the floor today. This is the bill that will give aspiring parents confidence and continued hope that their dreams of bringing life into this world can come true. Look, as I talk to families across Alabama and parents who are hopeful they can bring a child into this world, making sure that this process is protected and available is critically important.”

“However, this bill isn’t the one that Democrats are putting on the floor. This is not drafted in that way. It’s drafted to be a partisan scare tactic.”

“The American people deserve better. The path forward is Senator Cruz and my IVF Protection Act.”

The Senators asked for unanimous consent to pass their legislation in June, but their effort was also blocked by Senate Democrats. Additionally, Britt and Cruz led a joint statement this summer in strong support of continued nationwide IVF access that was signed by every Senate Republican.

After the vote, Sen. Cruz (R-TX) said Schumer and Democrats did so “cynically” to force their narrative ahead of the November election.

Senate Democrats cynically blocked my bill with @SenKatieBritt that would protect IVF access nationwide.

Why?

Because they care more about the November elections than about protecting IVF.

They want Republicans to reject their radical agenda-pushing bill in order to claim… pic.twitter.com/t9bG4Ukvul

— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 17, 2024