How Will the Alabama IVF Ruling Impact 2024 Politics?

The Alabama Supreme Court’s decision to legally recognize frozen embryos used in IVF as children prompted a wide range of reactions from Democrats and Republicans on Thursday. 

GOP Reactions Mixed: Republicans are reportedly divided on the issue, with some agreeing with the decision and others wanting to see IVF protected. Presidential candidate and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley told NBC News (Lean Left bias), “embryos, to me, are babies,” but later added, “I didn't say that I agreed with the Alabama ruling.” Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) called the ruling “a hard one” for women, because “you really want people to have that opportunity” and “we need more kids.”

Dems on Offense: Democrats widely criticized the ruling. “For years — even before Roe was overturned — I’ve sounded the alarm that they’d come for IVF,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) said, touting a bill to protect the procedure. President Joe Biden said the purported “disregard for women’s ability to make these decisions for themselves and their families” was “outrageous and unacceptable.”

How the Media Covered It: Coverage from both the left and right quoted political operatives who predicted that the decision would complicate general election politics for the GOP in 2024. Coverage from left-rated outlets often highlighted Haley’s remarks.