Casten co-sponsors bill to protect access to in vitro fertilization
March 1st, 2024 - U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) has cosponsored H.R. 7056, the Access to Family Building Act, which would establish a federal right to access assisted reproductive technology, including in vitro fertilization (IVF). This legislation would pre-empt state efforts to limit access and ensure that no parents or doctors are punished for trying to start a family.
Earlier this month, the Alabama Supreme Court issued a ruling declaring that frozen embryos created through IVF are children under state law. Since the ruling, countless families have had their lives thrown into chaos as they have been forced to consider whether their medical procedures would be criminalized.
“Whether IVF, birth control, or abortion, everyone deserves the freedom to control their own bodies, lives, and futures,” Congressman Casten said. “Congress must act immediately to preserve women’s reproductive freedom. If extreme Republicans support access to IVF, then they will bring this bill to the floor immediately. Every Illinoisan deserves the freedom to decide if, when, and how to build a family.”
Despite their public claims of supporting IVF in recent days, 125 House Republicans have cosponsored different legislation, the Life at Conception Act, which defines a human being to include “all stages of life,” including a frozen embryo.
On Wednesday, Democrats tried to pass similar legislation to the House bill in the U.S. Senate, but it was blocked by Republican Senators.