Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) blocked legislation to protect access to in vitro fertilization on Wednesday. Democrats advanced the measure in reaction to the controversy over the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that embryos are protected under state law.

Hyde-Smith stood in opposition after Democrats sought unanimous consent to pass legislation from Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Patty Murray (D-WA), the Access to Family Building Act, which would create a right to access assisted reproductive technology.