Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said Monday that in vitro fertilization should not be banned by the United States, arguing the “amazing technology” should be available as “a choice” for those who want to become parents.
Cruz was discussing a new bill that he and Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced, which would make states ineligible to receive Medicaid funding if their legislatures or courts move to ban IVF. The Texas senator was asked about concerns that some religious people could have about IVF, to which he suggested that they could make their “moral” decision whether or not to support IVF “according to their faith.”
“But as a matter of law, this should be a choice that is available for parents because it is profoundly pro-family,” Cruz said on Fox News’s Fox and Friends. “I have a lot of friends — I’m sure you do, too — that it is how they are parents, and they love their children, they want to raise their children, they want to be incredible moms and dads.”
Cruz added that he believes the bill should pass unanimously due to how “every senator,” regardless of political affiliation, says he or she supports IVF. He also predicted this legislation is a chance for Congress to come together and say they support the ability of people to create families.
Britt joined Cruz in his interview, arguing that members of the Democratic Party are “fearmongering” that Republicans wish to ban IVF. The Alabama senator contended IVF is currently protected and that her new bill with Cruz will ensure that it continues to be protected.
“They know that we are the party of families, Republicans are,” Britt said. “The party of moms, the party of children, the party of life, and we’re going to keep marching that forward.”
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This new legislation comes after Alabama’s top court ruled frozen embryos are legally children and that the destruction of these embryos constitutes a crime under the state’s “wrongful death of a minor” law. Republican lawmakers have attempted to navigate this ruling to avoid alienating voters ahead of the November elections, which will include the first presidential election since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
The legislation from Cruz and Britt is separate from a bill introduced by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), which was introduced in January and would protect IVF access. Many Republicans have opposed Duckworth’s bill, arguing its broad language could provide protections for abortion.