White House and Democrats announce that the first person born by IVF and the Texas woman who fled the state to have an abortion will be guests at the State of the Union in a clear message to Republicans on reproductive rights

The first person born through IVF and the Texas woman who fled her state to have an abortion will be among Democrats’ guests Thursday during the State of the Union address to Republicans with a clear message about reproductive rights.

Jill Biden will receive Kate Cox in her box in the Chamber of the House of Representatives. The state of Texas denied Cox’s request for an abortion after learning that her fetus had a fatal diagnosis due to a rare chromosomal condition.

And Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia brings along Elizabeth Carr, the first person born via IVF in the US

President Joe Biden and other Democrats are using the abortion issue to shore up their base after it was a successful rallying cry for the party in the 2022 midterm elections, where their candidates performed better than expected, largely thanks to abortion rights issues during the mood.

Kate Cox was the first pregnant adult to sue for the right to terminate her pregnancy after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Ultimately, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that Cox would not have qualified for an abortion under the medical exception to the state’s abortion laws.

Abortions were banned in Texas after the Supreme Court ruling in June 2022. Cox traveled out of state to obtain one. Her lawyers noted that Cox’s own health would be at greater risk if she carried the fetus to term.

Donald Trump has has taken credit for the Supreme Court’s decision and has said he is considering a nationwide ban on 15-week abortions.

Born in 1981, Elizabeth Carr was the first baby in the United States – and the 15th in the world – born after IVF treatment. She was born at Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia.

IVF treatment has come to the fore after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created through IVF are considered children under state law. This raises questions about whether clinics or families could face wrongful death lawsuits if embryos are destroyed.

The ruling was roundly criticized. Democrats rejected it and even many Republicans — including Donald Trump — said it went too far.

The Bidens also invited Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of late Russian dissident Alexi Navalny, to the State of the Union address, but she was unable to attend, Reuters reported.

President Biden met with Yulia and her daughter Dasha in San Francisco last month.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden – the first lady’s guests at the State of the Union typically represent themes in the president’s speech

Elizabeth Carr, the first baby born in the US from IVF, will attend the State of the Union address as a guest of Senator Tim Kaine

President Joe Biden (center) meets with Yulia Navalnaya (right), widow of Kremlin opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and daughter Dasha Navalnaya (left) in San Francisco

It’s unclear who else will be in the first lady’s box, a prominent spot in the conference room during the president’s prime-time address.

Typically, her guests are connected to key themes in the president’s State of the Union address. Last year, President Biden mentioned many of them by name during his remarks.

Lawmakers are also allowed to bring a guest, and Chairman Mike Johnson has his own box.

Among the speaker’s guests are Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich, parents of journalist Evan Gershkovich.

Ella Milman (left) and Mikhail Gershkovich (right), mother and father of incarcerated journalist Evan Gershkovic, will attend the State of the Union address; they are seen above with their daughter Danielle

Other members of Congress bring relatives of the American hostages to Gaza.

A total of 17 family members of Americans held captive or killed by Hamas terrorists will be in the House chamber on Thursday evening, The Times of Israel reported.

The six hostages believed to be alive and to be represented in captivity are Edan Alexander, Itai Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Omer Neutra, Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Keith Siegel.

The two released hostages who will be represented are Liat Beinin Atzili and Avigail Idan, who lived to four years in captivity before being released during a ceasefire in November. The two murdered hostages who will be represented are Judy Weinstein and Gad Haggai.

More than 100 hostages were swapped for Palestinian prisoners during a lull in fighting in November. The Biden administration is pushing for a second temporary ceasefire to trade some of the remaining hostages.

Biden is expected to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas in his speech.