Republicans begin to oppose any restrictions on IVF, fearing political backlash in swing states: Senate campaign arm tells candidates to ‘clearly and concisely’ reject restrictions on fertility treatments
- The Senate GOP campaign arm is distributing a memo to its candidates urging them to support IVF
- “As we respond to the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling, it is imperative that our candidates join the public’s overwhelming support for IVF.”
Fearing the political fallout from the Alabama Supreme Court’s controversial new ruling, Republicans are now distancing themselves from it and speaking out against any restrictions on in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The Republican Senate campaign arm is circulating a memo to its candidates urging them to support IVF, campaign to expand access and oppose any restrictions on the procedure.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) notes that 85 percent of respondents to a survey conducted by former Trump campaign pollster Kellyanne Conway support expanding access to fertility treatment.
The Alabama ruling does not directly restrict IVF, but says embryos have the same rights as children.
Typically, when a couple is trying to conceive, several embryos are frozen and the most viable one is implanted. The new ruling could open the door to wrongful death lawsuits for less viable embryos that are discarded or cases in which embryos do not survive when thawed and transferred to the uterus.
Senate candidates followed a memo from their campaign department telling them to oppose IVF restrictions
“NRSC encourages Republican Senate candidates to clearly and succinctly reject government efforts to restrict IVF,” the campaign group wrote to its candidates.
“As we respond to the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling, it is imperative that our candidates join the public’s overwhelming support for IVF and fertility treatments,” the memo said.
Medical technician prepares embryo and sperm samples
Embryos are frozen for later use, and some are usually destroyed
“By advocating for greater access to these services, opposing restrictions and emphasizing the importance of supporting families on their journey to conceive, our candidates can demonstrate compassion, respect for family values and a commitment to individual freedom.’
Three fertility clinics in Alabama have already cut off access to IVF treatment for fear of prosecution.
Senate candidates immediately heeded the NRSC’s words and spoke out against IVF restrictions.
“IVF is a ray of hope for millions of Americans seeking the blessing of children. I oppose any effort to limit this,” Pennsylvania Republican Party candidate Dave McCormick wrote on X on Friday.
“My goal is to promote a culture of life,” wrote Republican candidate Bernie Moreno of Ohio. ‘IVF is an essential tool for families struggling with infertility. We have a crisis in this country where people don’t have enough replacement level children. I’m in favor of anything that helps people have more babies and strong families.”