Senate Fails to Advance IVF Bill for Second Time

The Senate on Sept. 17 failed to advance for the second time a bill that would create the federal right to access in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The upper congressional chamber failed to clear the 60-vote threshold to overcome a filibuster as the vote to invoke cloture on the bill was 51–44. In June, Republicans blocked the bill, 48–47, thereby preventing it from clearing that threshold. The bill would also require that public and private insurance cover IVF treatments. It would also expand IVF access for military members and veterans. President Joe Biden criticized the GOP for blocking the bill. “Yet again, Senate Republicans refused to safeguard access to fertility treatments for women trying to get pregnant. Republican officials have had every opportunity to protect reproductive freedom – from IVF to contraception—but they refuse to do so. The disregard for a woman’s right to make these decisions for herself and her family is outrageous and unacceptable,” he posted on X....