WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., released the following statement after Senate Republicans once again blocked the passage of the Right to IVF Act on Sept. 17. Heinrich introduced the legislation as an original cosponsor to establish a nationwide right to in-vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technology. The legislation would also lower the costs of IVF treatment for millions of families, veterans, and service members.
“Once again, Senate Republicans have blocked legislation that would protect families’ freedom to start and grow a family with IVF," Heinrich said. "Republicans are using their position of power to tell people when, how, and with whom to start their families. Shame on them."
He continued by referring to other decisions Republicians have made related to reproductive rights.
“Since the radical conservative majority on the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, we’ve seen Republican extremists in state legislatures across the country enact draconian abortion bans and go after Americans’ access to contraception and IVF," Heinrich said.
He went to commit to the the American people and their right to reproductive health care.
“Let me be clear: I will never stop fighting to safeguard New Mexicans’ freedom to access reproductive health care," Heinrich said. "I will use every tool at my disposal to reinstate the protections provided by Roe v. Wade, and combat extreme Republican laws aimed at stripping away access to IVF, contraception, and abortion care.”
Heinrich remains unwavering in his commitment to protect women’s reproductive freedoms.
In February, after the Alabama State Supreme Court issued a ruling that threatened access to IVF treatment, Heinrich cosponsored the Access to Family Building Act, legislation that would protect every American’s right to access IVF and other assisted reproductive technology services that millions need to have children. This legislation is now included as part of the broader Right to IVF Act — which Heinrich introduced alongside U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Cory Booker, D-N.J..
Heinrich is also an original cosponsor of the Right to Contraception Act, legislation which would guarantee that people can obtain and health professionals can provide contraceptives – free from government interference. Senate Republicans blocked the passage of the Right to Contraception Act.
