Jun 13, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Senate Republicans block IVF protections bill

Stephen Neukam

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks during a news conference following a Senate Republican party policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol Building on May 08, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a bill aimed at ensuring federal protections for in vitro fertilization (IVF), as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) forced them to take another difficult vote on a hot-button election issue.

Why it matters: Democrats are trying to hold Republicans' feet to the fire on reproductive rights two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and ahead of the 2024 elections. The GOP is trying to dodge those bullets.

Every Senate Republican this week signed a letter voicing their support for IVF, arguing that Democrats are lying about the GOP's position on the procedure.
Republicans have rallied around protecting IVF after the Alabama Supreme Court issued a ruling in February that resulted in clinics pausing the treatment in the state.
Two Republicans, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), voted to advance the bill.

The big picture: Thursday's vote was the latest episode in which Schumer has called votes that drew attention to GOP divisions on issues that Democrats are highlighting in their campaigns.

Last week Schumer brought forward a bill to protect access to contraception at the federal level, and Republicans blocked it.
GOP lawmakers also voted against a bipartisan immigration bill last month, the result of a move by Schumer that cleared to clear a path for President Biden's executive order to reduce crossings at the Southwest border.

It's not just on the Senate side that Democrats are squeezing Republicans on IVF.

House Democrats are readying a discharge petition that would force a floor vote on protecting IVF.
Biden's campaign also recently slammed the GOP on IVF in a digital video.

Yes, but: Senate Republicans have worked to turn the tables on Schumer, standing united in saying they are not threatening reproductive rights.

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) have introduced a bill which would prevent states from blocking access to IVF.

The intrigue: There has been some dissent in GOP ranks over how the conference should be countering Schumer's "show vote" strategy.

Instead of blocking bills like the IVF legislation, some Republicans have wanted to vote yes on the measure and then challenge Democrats by adding amendments to the bills.

The bottom line: The votes on reproductive rights have little-to-no chance of clearing the Senate, and would be doomed in the Republican-controlled House.

But the Senate will likely see more moves like this from Schumer to continue to hold Republican feet to the fire on top election issues.

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Senate Republicans block IVF protections bill

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