Democratic Women’s Caucus, Pro-Choice Caucus, Rep. Susan Wild, Democratic Leadership Host World IVF Day Press Conference, Announce Wave of Support for Discharge Petition
CONTACT:
Lizzie Johnson, (202)-590-6073, lizzie.johnson@mail.house.gov (DWC)
**Watch the full press conference here.**
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Thursday July 25, Congresswoman Susan Wild, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, the Democratic Women’s Caucus, and the Pro-Choice Caucus, held a press conference with their House colleagues in honor of World IVF Day. At the press conference, Rep. Wild, the lead sponsor of the Right to IVF Act, formerly known as the Access to Family Building Act, announced that her discharge petition to force a vote on the bill protecting access to IVF received 155 signatures in the first 24 hours it was open. It is now up to over 180 signatures.
“This World IVF Day, it is more critical than ever that we stand up and speak out about the need to protect IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies for the thousands of Americans who rely on them to grow their families,” said Congresswoman Susan Wild. “Yesterday, I filed a discharge petition to force Speaker Johnson to hold a vote on the Access to Family Building Act, and I was met with overwhelming support from my colleagues. Having personally experienced fertility challenges, I will always fight back against cruel and extreme attacks from any politician or court who wishes to prevent hopeful parents from achieving their dreams of having children.”
"This discharge petition is a chance for every Member of the House to show where they stand," said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. "Will Republicans stand up for freedom? Will they stand with tens of thousands of aspiring parents? Or will they continue to stand by Donald Trump and MAGA extremism?"
“Millions of people grow their family through IVF, and we must protect this fundamental right for everyone,” said DWC Vice Chair Rep. Nikema Williams. “But y’all, protection is only the first step. We must ensure that IVF is universally accessible no matter your zip code, no matter your bank account, because y’all, this is a part of our full spectrum of reproductive healthcare.”
“With the Dobbs decision and the Alabama Supreme Court ruling in February, the future of IVF treatments is at risk,” said PCC Whip Lizzie Fletcher. “The Pro-Choice Caucus is committed to addressing every challenge that infringes on the reproductive freedom of women across our country, and it is critical that we pass the Right to IVF Act to ensure that thousands of Americans can build their families.”
Also joining the members at the press conference were reproductive health care providers and advocates.
“Decisions surrounding reproduction are deeply personal. Those decisions should be decided by patients in consult with their providers and informed by scientific facts. Politicians should respect the individual and not interfere with medical choices about how best to have a child,” said Dr. Mark Payson, Medical Director of CCRM Northern Virginia. “I urge Members of the of the House to recognize World IVF Day by signing on to Congresswoman Wild’s discharge petition. Protect Americans’ right to access IVF by passing this legislation.”
If the discharge petition gathers 218 signatures from members of the House, Speaker Johnson will be required to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. If passed, the bill would codify access to IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) at the federal level, protecting countless Americans who rely on ARTs to start or grow their families.
Since its introduction in January, the Right to IVF Act, has gained the support of over 200 cosponsors, including four Republican members of Congress. It has also been endorsed by support of numerous reproductive health organizations, including the Center for Reproductive Rights, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, RESOLVE: the National Infertility Association, Endocrine Society, Reproductive Freedom for All, the Building Military Families Network, and more.