Republicans Seem Hesitant To Support Alabama IVF Ruling—As Democrats Say It’s Their Fault

Republicans cast doubt on last week’s Alabama Supreme Court ruling that has widespread consequences for in vitro fertilization, as Democrats blamed the decision on the overturning of Roe v. Wade—a ruling championed by the right—underscoring the GOP’s ongoing struggle to craft a messaging strategy around reproductive healthcare.

The ruling has already prompted three Alabama medical clinics to pause IVF treatments while they survey the consequences, and it’s having immediate implications for Republican lawmakers who have been asked about the decision—with some giving hazy answers, while most have yet to weigh in.

Three Republican governors said they support IVF when asked about the Alabama ruling by Politico — including Govs. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.), Bill Lee (R-Tenn.) and Chris Sununu (R-N.H.), despite Kemp and Lee signing restrictive anti-abortion measures in their home states.

On a national level, at least two Republican lawmakers have weighed in on the decision.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) denounced the ruling—which grants personhood status to embryos under state law and could to result in significant restrictions on the process of freezing fertilized eggs—calling it “extremely shortsighted” and predicting it “will have a negative impact on those seeking IVF treatment.”