Republicans start opposing any restrictions on IVF fearing political backlash in swing states: Senate campaign arm tells candidates to ‘clearly and concisely’ reject restrictions to fertility treatment

Fearing the political repercussions of the controversial new Alabama Supreme Court ruling, Republicans are now distancing themselves from it and speaking out against any restrictions on in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The Senate Republican Party’s campaign arm is distributing a memo to its candidates urging them to support IVF, campaign to increase access and oppose any restrictions on the procedure.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) notes that 85 percent of respondents in a poll conducted by former Trump campaign pollster Kellyanne Conway support expanding access to fertility treatment.

The Alabama ruling does not directly restrict IVF, but says embryos have the same rights as children.

Normally, when a couple tries to conceive, several embryos are frozen and the most viable one is implanted. The new ruling could open the door to wrongful death lawsuits for less viable embryos that are discarded or cases in which embryos do not survive being thawed and transferred to the uterus.

Senate candidates followed a memo from their campaign arm directing them to oppose IVF restrictions.

“The NRSC encourages Republican Senate candidates to clearly and concisely reject the administration’s efforts to restrict IVF,” the campaign group wrote to its candidates.

“In responding to the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling, it is imperative that our candidates align with the public’s overwhelming support for IVF and fertility treatments,” the memo said.

Medical technician prepares embryo and sperm samples

Embryos are frozen for later use, and some are usually destroyed.

“By advocating for greater access to these services, opposing restrictions, and emphasizing the importance of supporting families on their path to conception, our candidates can demonstrate compassion, respect for family values, and commitment to individual freedom.”

Three fertility clinics in Alabama have already cut off access to IVF treatment for fear of prosecution.

Senate candidates immediately heeded the NRSC’s words and spoke out against restrictions on IVF.

‘IVF is a ray of hope for millions of Americans seeking the blessing of having children. I oppose any attempt to restrict it,” Pennsylvania Republican candidate Dave McCormick wrote in X on Friday.

“My goal is to promote a culture of life,” wrote Ohio Republican candidate Bernie Moreno. ‘IVF is a vital tool for families struggling with infertility. We have a crisis in this country in which people do not have enough children at replacement levels. “I’m in favor of anything that promotes people having more babies and strong families.”