Scoop: House GOP rushes to distance from Alabama IVF ruling
House Republicans are quickly pushing back on an Alabama Supreme Court ruling restricting access to fertility treatments, with one GOP lawmaker already planning a legislative response, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Reproductive health care has been the central issue for House Democrats as they try to win back GOP-held suburban swing districts.
- "We should do everything we can to protect IVF for women everywhere," Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) told Axios. "We are currently drafting a resolution to express our sentiment and then looking at legislative options."
- Mace has variably criticized and supported her party's pro-life positions, often warning that overly strict policies will cost the GOP key elections.
What they’re saying: House Republicans from districts President Biden won in 2020 also pushed back.
- Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) said in a statement to Axios the ruling “goes too far,” while Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) said it will “rob countless Americans of the joys of family life.”
- Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told Axios he wants to "give those who want to be moms and dads that opportunity. Therefore, I do not support restrictions on IVF."
- "I'm troubled by and oppose the ruling. I support women and families who choose IVF to bring life into this world. They have my love and respect," said Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.).
Zoom in: The Alabama Supreme Court ruled late last week that frozen embryos created through in vitro fertilization are legally considered children.
- That has resulted in Alabama clinics pausing IVF treatments out of concern that doctors or patients could face potential criminal prosecution.
State of play: Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) introduced legislation to provide a federal right to IVF after the Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022.
- "Now is the time for Congress to pass my Access to Family Building Act and establish a statutory right to access IVF," Duckworth said in a statement after the Alabama ruling.
What we're hearing: A House Republican, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they will be "curious to see who will support such efforts" to preserve IVF access.
- The lawmaker added that Republicans from swing districts "have to, right...?"
Go deeper: Alabama Supreme Court ruling adds to legal uncertainty around IVF
Editor's note: This article was updated with a quote from Rep. Marc Molinaro.