Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) said she didn’t know she was counted as a supporter of an in vitro fertilization protection bill.
Luna was originally the only Republican to co-sponsor legislation codifying protections for IVF, prompting surprise when she publicly removed her co-sponsorship of the bill. The Florida Republican explained she was incorrectly added to the bill, and her team is working on rewriting the bill on a bipartisan basis.
“I was added to this bill without confirmation. There are amendments that need to take place before I decide to sponsor,” Luna wrote on X. “And thus, my team will be working to come to an agreement to get bipartisan legislation on the table. Stop implying things.”
Republicans have struggled to form a coherent response to the IVF matter after a surprise Alabama Supreme Court decision ruled that embryos created through the process were people. Though not criminalizing IVF in any way, the ruling led to fears among clinics that they could be held criminally liable for the large number of embryos destroyed through the process.
Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Patty Murray (D-WA) attempted to pass legislation that would have offered federal protections for IVF via unanimous consent on Wednesday. While many Republicans, such as Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), have expressed vocal support for IVF, some have stopped short of supporting sweeping protections.
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The bill was tanked by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), who expressed concerns about the knock-on effects the bill could have, including cloning, commercial surrogacy for minors, and genetically engineered babies.
“I support the ability for mothers and fathers to have total access to IVF and bring new life into the world. I also believe human life should be protected. These are not mutually exclusive,” Hyde-Smith said. “This bill misses the mark.”
