WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate remains deadlocked over nationwide protections for in vitro fertilization (IVF), even as lawmakers from both sides express support. On Tuesday, Republicans opposed a Democratic bill designed to prevent states from imposing limitations on IVF, which would also enhance access for military personnel and veterans. Notably, two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, sided with the Democrats.

In a related move, Senate Democrats blocked a proposal from Republican Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Katie Britt of Alabama aimed at prohibiting Medicaid funding for states that ban IVF. This decision came after an earlier attempt to advance a Democratic proposal failed to secure the necessary 60 votes, culminating in a 51-44 result.

Senator Tammy Duckworth, a Democratic representative from Illinois and sponsor of the IVF bill, highlighted the importance of the legislation for military families. “They say they support IVF. Here you go — vote on this,” she emphasized, urging bipartisan cooperation.

The proposed legislation seeks to enhance IVF access for military members, who face unique challenges related to infertility. Duckworth explained that the bill would allow service members to preserve their genetic material before deployment, ensuring they can start families even after potential combat-related injuries.

Following the vote, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Republican senators for obstructing the bill, asserting that reproductive freedom is essential. “Every woman in every state must have reproductive freedom,” she stated, reiterating the Democrats’ commitment to protecting fertility treatments.

This legislative impasse echoes earlier GOP resistance; however, renewed discussions were sparked by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s recent comments suggesting potential insurance mandates for IVF treatment.

The situation in states like Alabama adds further complexity. Earlier this year, the Alabama Supreme Court categorized frozen embryos as children, necessitating the temporary closure of IVF clinics until the state legislature enacted appropriate protections. Democrats argue that such rulings directly contradict the access to IVF services, which often involves creating more embryos than are used.

Amid these discussions, the Southern Baptist Convention has expressed opposition to IVF, advocating adoption as an alternative and raising ethical concerns about assisted reproductive technologies.

The Senate’s focus on IVF protections aligns with broader initiatives to enhance reproductive rights, including access to birth control and abortion. These issues are expected to influence the outcomes of the upcoming presidential elections and control of Congress.

While Republicans like Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio missed the recent vote, he previously opposed advancing the Democrats’ IVF bill. Before the vote on the Democratic proposal, Cruz sought quick approval for his and Britt’s IVF bill, which was blocked by Senator Patty Murray due to concerns over its scope in addressing issues related to fetal personhood.

Murray argued that the Cruz-Britt legislation fails to address critical concerns about how states might regulate embryos. “It is silent on whether states can demand that an embryo be treated the same as a living, breathing person,” she contended.

The proposed Democratic bill would provide comprehensive legal protections for individuals seeking fertility treatment and health professionals involved in IVF. It aims to eliminate government-imposed restrictions and would require both state and federal governments to refrain from limiting IVF access. Support from organizations such as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine underscores the bill’s significance in ensuring that individuals can pursue necessary treatments without legal repercussions.

As the debate continues, the outcomes of these legislative efforts will not only shape IVF access but also resonate within broader conversations about reproductive rights ahead of the pivotal elections later this year.