[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 142 (Thursday, September 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IVF
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, from the moment the MAGA Supreme Court
reversed Roe, as Donald Trump promised they would, many of us warned
that the hard right would not stop there in eliminating reproductive
freedoms. Over the past few months, we have seen how IVF has become the
hard right's next target.
A few months ago, the Alabama Supreme Court jeopardized access to IVF
within their State, causing millions of women and couples to fear that
even their freedom to start a family was now in danger.
So, in June, Democrats brought forward legislation to ensure IVF
access would never be at risk and expand insurance coverage for this
treatment, but almost every single Senate Republican voted against this
vital legislation to have access to IVF.
Republicans can't claim to be pro-family only to block protections
for IVF. The American people deserve another chance to see if
Republicans are for access to IVF or against it; it is that simple. So
next week, Mr. President, the Senate will vote once again to take up
the very same bill we voted on earlier this summer, establishing a
nationwide right to IVF and making it easier for people to access this
critical treatment. Our bill should have passed in June, and it is more
than good enough to pass now.
So let me say it again: Republicans can't claim to be pro-family on
one hand only to block pro-family policies like Federal protections for
IVF and the child tax credit. But that is what they did this summer,
and I hope we get a different outcome when we vote for a second time.
The American people will be watching.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Peters). The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.