Speaker Mike Johnson made it clear on Thursday that he doesn’t see a role for Congress in the matter of IVF legislation. This statement came amid discussions within the House Republican Conference following a contentious ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court.
Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, shared his views with journalists at the annual Republican issues conference at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia. He expressed his belief that the states are already handling the issue adequately.
He emphasized his party’s support for IVF, stating the importance of protecting and preserving access to it. However, he insisted that it must be approached ethically.
At the retreat in West Virginia, House Republicans were scheduled to hear from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser. She was set to discuss a “pro-family agenda” as the party navigates the complex issue of abortion.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris planned a visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic in Minnesota. This visit, happening on the same day, highlighted the contrasting approaches of the two parties on reproductive rights. Harris was expected to tour the facility and meet with staff to discuss reproductive rights.
Johnson faces pressure from some members of his conference to symbolically show support for IVF access. This follows a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court last month, which declared frozen embryos as human beings. This ruling led to a temporary halt in IVF services in Alabama, causing distress among families seeking treatment. However, services have since partially resumed after the introduction of a new law, bringing the issue of reproductive health services access into national debate.
In the House, two Republican-led initiatives are advocating for IVF accessibility. Representatives Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon and Nancy Mace of South Carolina are at the forefront of these efforts. Mace, in particular, has introduced a resolution to support IVF and criticize any legal or judicial actions that could limit access to fertility treatments. She has been actively persuading Johnson to consider her bill and is open to amendments to facilitate its progress.
DeRemer’s resolution, while symbolic, aims to underscore the importance of protecting IVF. It calls on state legislatures to act in support of IVF access but does not propose legal protections.
On the Democratic side, Representative Susan Wild of Pennsylvania has introduced a bill to prevent restrictions on assisted reproductive technology. This bill has attracted bipartisan support, with Representative Marc Molinaro of New York, a moderate Republican, endorsing it.
California GOP Representative Michelle Steel recently withdrew her support for the Life at Conception Act. She cited concerns that the act could be misconstrued as opposing IVF, amidst backlash for her initial support. Steel clarified her stance on the House floor, reaffirming her commitment to pro-life values while supporting IVF.
In the Senate, where Democrats hold control, efforts to safeguard IVF have faced obstacles. Recent attempts to pass IVF-related bills were halted by Republican opposition. These bills sought to expedite the legislative process through unanimous consent but were blocked by Republican senators.
This report includes contributions from CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Lauren Mascarenhas, and Isabel Rosales.