Democrats Block Cruz, Britt, Marshall Effort to Pass Nationwide IVF Protection

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), along with his colleagues Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), went to the Senate floor to ask for unanimous consent to pass their bill the IVF Protection Act. Senate Democrats blocked their legislation to ensure IVF was protected at the federal level.

On the floor, Sen. Cruz said, “IVF is a medical miracle that has brought the joy of parenthood to millions of families who might otherwise have never experienced it. I am a strong supporter of IVF, and I am incredibly grateful for the technology that has enabled parents, moms and dads desperate to bring into the world little boys and little girls to finally hold a child in their arms. …

“IVF is profoundly, pro-family, it is an avenue of hope for millions struggling with infertility. To every mom and every dad at home and to every woman and man desperately hoping to be a parent, know that our bill will ensure that IVF remains 100 percent protected by law, and this should not just be a policy or a general affirmation. This should be a clear and unmistakable federal law. We invite our colleagues in the Senate from both sides of the aisle to join together in supporting this crucial legislation. This should be a measure that transcends political divides. A recent poll shows that 86 percent of Americans believe IVF should be legal and protected. This is an opportunity for us to put partisan divisions aside and to come together and unite on a shared commitment to protecting IVF.”

After Senate Democrats objected, Sen. Cruz said, “The Democrats just cynically objected to [a bill that] would protect IVF for every parent in the country, and it would become federal law. Except for one thing, the Democrats do not want it to because if we pass clear [and] strong federal protections for IVF, the issue that they’re planning to campaign on would go away. What we’ve just seen is one of the most cynical displays of partisan politics to ever occur on the Senate floor. It’s designed deliberately to deceive the American voters. It’s unfortunate that Democrats put politics above protecting parents and above protecting IVF.”

Watch the full floor speech here.

BACKGROUND

Read the full text of the Cruz-Britt bill here.

• Since its development in the 1970s, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has proven itself to be a safe, effective, and reliable means to achieving pregnancy.
• IVF has allowed millions of aspiring parents to experience the miracle of childbirth.
• IVF is a pro-woman and pro-family solution for those struggling to have children.
• IVF has become a symbol of hope for those aspiring to conceive.
• It is now estimated that nearly 2 percent of all live births in the United States are the result of IVF, resulting in tens of thousands of happy, healthy babies being born annually.
• The use of IVF has strengthened our communities and our nation by promoting generations of children and families that otherwise may not have come to be.

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