Democrats and Joe Biden have been trying to force through IVF legislation that would give them a full victory on this front.
The GOP is not against IVF, but they are against the added funding that would be required of insurance agencies that is in that bill, as well as other requirements.
So, when the bill came across the Senate floor, the GOP managed to block it.
Not Happening
Numerous Republicans have presented IVF legislation that is a compromise, but we all know how Democrats feel about compromise.
So, Senator Schumer (D-N.Y.) decided to put purpose legislation on the floor to get Republicans on record as having not supported the legislation.
Schumer, hoping to capitalize on the fact that Donald Trump supports IVF and insurance companies paying for it, stated, “We are going to give our Republican colleagues another chance to show the American people where they stand.”
He added, “As our national debate on reproductive rights has continued to unfold, we have seen the Republican Party’s nominee for president claim to be ‘a leader in fertilization’ and come out in support of expanding access to IVF by requiring insurance companies to cover IVF treatment — a key provision included in the Right to IVF Act.”
The legislation failed, 51-44, but Schumer stated that he would again put it back on the floor this weekend.
Republicans are calling out Democrats for grandstanding. There is a great interview of Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) dressing down a news anchor for calling him out for voting against the IVF legislation while ignoring all the add-ons that Dems included.
Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) also addressed the issue, explaining, “Obviously, it’s something that our nominee has come out in support of, but there are lots of mandates that are imposed on insurance companies, which raise rates.
“Every Republican is for IVF. I don’t know of any Republican that isn’t. The question of whether or not insurance ought to cover it is another issue that we need to talk about.”
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) even submitted a letter in support of IVF that was signed by every Republican in the Senate with his IVF legislation, but Schumer never put it on the floor.
This is all-or-nothing politics and expect to see a lot more of this heading into the election.
Democrats will take hot potato topics, create legislation on an issue that is supported by both sides, then load it with landmines knowing the GOP will reject it so they can score political points.