Shaheen Statement After Republicans Again Block Legislation to Protect Access to IVF

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement after voting for the Right to IVF Act—legislation that would protect Americans’ access to invitro-fertilization (IVF)—which has now been defeated twice by Senate Republicans: 

“Women deserve the freedom to decide if, when and how to start a family. For so many families, IVF has allowed them to bring children into the world when they otherwise couldn’t. 

“The audacity of Republicans to block a bill that would ensure women in every corner of every state have access to this medical advancement that helps bring life into the world is infuriating. It shows us what we’ve known for a long time: this isn’t about protecting life; it’s about controlling women’s bodies.  

“Though Republicans have once again blocked this commonsense legislation, Democrats won’t stop fighting to make sure women have full access to the reproductive care they need, whenever they need it.” 

Shaheen has long championed and spoken out in support of efforts in the U.S. Senate to protect and expand women’s reproductive freedoms in New Hampshire and across the country. Last year, Shaheen introduced legislation to ensure service members can access reproductive care when stationed in states that restrict access to basic reproductive rights. Last Congress, Shaheen helped introduce legislation that ensure service members’ and veterans’ fertility treatments, such as IVF, are covered by their health benefits. 

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