Republican Lawmakers Oppose IVF Funding in Defense Bill

Reps. Matt Rosendale (Mont.) and Josh Brecheen (Okla.) are urging congressional leaders to exclude expanded access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. They argue that the proposed provisions would cost taxpayers approximately $1 billion annually and lead to the destruction of embryos, which they consider 'innocent human life.' The controversy surrounding IVF has intensified within the Republican Party, especially following the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling that frozen embryos are considered children. Despite their empathy for couples facing infertility, the lawmakers contend that IVF is ineffective and does not address the underlying causes of infertility. Rosendale, a notable critic of IVF, has previously attempted to defund such treatments, and even as he prepares to leave Congress, IVF skepticism appears to remain influential among GOP members. Negotiators are expected to reveal a compromise bill next month as discussions continue.