Vulnerable New Yorker Marc Molinaro breaks ranks with GOP to back federal IVF protections – Washington Examiner

Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) has added his name to legislation seeking to add federal protections for in vitro fertilization services, becoming the first Republican to back the Democratic-led bill.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) in February after the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision that ruled frozen embryos were considered children under state law and someone destroying one could be liable for wrongful death. The legislation, which has been co-sponsored by 137 House Democrats, would create a statutory right to IVF and override any state laws that try to create limitations on the services.

“I was troubled by and said at the time that I opposed Alabama’s ruling to limit IVF. I’m a parent who has personal experience with IVF and support all women and families who choose IVF to bring life into this world. Protecting it is just commonsense,” Molinaro said in a statement shared with the Washington Examiner.

Molinaro is one of the most vulnerable House Republicans seeking reelection in November, with his New York district rated as a “toss up” by the Cook Political Report.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) had been listed as a co-sponsor of the legislation, but she later removed her name after she claimed it had been put there without her consent. She said she would support the bill if “amendments” were made to it.

Since the Alabama Supreme Court decision, Democrats have attempted to paint Republicans as being opponents of IVF, and the GOP has worked to distance itself from the court decision.

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The GOP-led state legislature in Alabama overwhelmingly passed legislation to protect IVF, with the procedure resuming in the state after Gov. Kay Ivey (R-AL) signed the protections into law.

Republicans across the country have expressed their support for IVF, including former President Donald Trump, looking to avert the matter becoming a key topic in the November election.

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