Mike Johnson Doesn't Want Military Members to Have Access to IVF

"Typically, NDAA bills are finalized by the end of the calendar year, and the text of the legislation was anticipated to be finalized by Thursday. It the House in a 231-196 vote in September (only 17 Democrats agreed to pass it), Politico that Republican leaders were still trying to tie up some loose ends-such as barely passed though and the Senate passed it with more bipartisan ease during the shutdown in October in a 77-20 vote."

"IVF, which involves the routine of discarding unused embryos, has long been a target of the anti-abortion and fetal personhood movements-as anti-abortionists believe embryos are human beings. In fact, in February 2024, 125 Republican members of Congress (including Johnson) co-sponsored a bill that would have restricted access to IVF, and speaking to CBS in March 2024, the Speaker argued IVF should not be an issue for Congress to deal with."

Senator Tammy Duckworth publicly questioned President Trump about whether he would allow Speaker Mike Johnson to block IVF coverage for military families. NDAA text was expected to be finalized by year-end amid lingering House and Senate negotiations following earlier votes. Johnson and other Republican lawmakers reportedly pushed to strike an IVF expansion that had not been included in 2024’s bill. IVF has been targeted by anti-abortion and fetal personhood movements. In February 2024, 125 Republicans, including Johnson, co-sponsored a bill to restrict IVF access. Trump previously pledged free IVF, then issued an executive order prompting policy suggestions.

Read at Jezebel