House Democrats press GOP on IVF discharge petition

Source: The Hill

07/25/24 5:05 PM ET


House Democrats have launched a discharge petition to force a vote on legislation to codify the right to in vitro fertilization (IVF) nationwide, in a long-shot attempt to put Republicans on the spot about reproductive rights.

Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), lead sponsor of the Access to Family Building Act, said Thursday the discharge petition on the bill received 155 signatures in the first 24 hours it was open. In total, the petition has nearly 190 signatures.

“This discharge petition is a chance for every Member of the House to show where they stand,” House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (Mass.) said during a press conference. “Will Republicans stand up for freedom? Will they stand with tens of thousands of aspiring parents? Or will they continue to stand by Donald Trump and MAGA extremism?”

The legislation would codify a statutory right to IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies and say that insurers have a statutory right to cover them. It would also allow the Justice Department and private individuals to sue any state or local government official for restricting IVF access.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4793462-house-democrats-ivf-discharge-petition/