Republicans might claim to be the "pro-life and pro-family party," but they've once again voted against blocked legislation that would protect access to IVF.
The Right to IVF Act would establish a nationwide right "to receive fertility treatment from a health care provider, following widely accepted and evidence-based medical standards of care." Other provisions aim to make the treatments more affordable and require insurance companies to cover fertility care.
The issue of IVF and fertility treatments was thrust into the national spotlight early this year when the Alabama Supreme Court deemed that "embryos are children" under state law, prompting providers to halt fertility treatments temporarily in the state. Since then, many Republicans have expressed their support for the popular fertility treatments, including Donald Trump.
However, Senate Republicans, nearly all of whom argued the bill was "too broad," first blocked the bill three months ago.
Two Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who had also backed the package in June — joined Democrats in voting to advance the measure, which resulted in a 51 to 44 vote.
In a statement, Vice President Kamala Harris said Republicans "have once again made clear that they will not protect access to the fertility treatments many couples need to fulfill their dream of having a child."
"Their opposition to a woman's freedom to make decisions about her own body is extreme, dangerous, and wrong," the Vice President continued. "Our administration will always fight to protect reproductive freedoms, which must include access to IVF."