Congressman Lawler Signs on to Protect IVF Nationwide

By M. C. Millman

Congressman Mike Lawler is the second House Republican to support Congresswoman Susan Wild's Access to Family Building Act, which codifies IVF protections into federal law. 

The Access to Family Building Act was introduced on February 1, 2024. Since then, Alabama has sparked national conversation regarding IVF, leading the state to pass a new law on Wednesday, March 6, meant to protect IVF treatment providers, fertility doctors, and patients from criminal and civil liability and shield providers of goods used to facilitate the IVF process from criminal liability. 

"The Alabama court decision was wrong," Congressman Lawler says of the national controversy, "and barring action by the Alabama legislature could have prevented access to IVF treatments. As I said in the aftermath of the ruling, state legislatures across the country should act and enshrine protections into law; however, if they fail to do so, the federal government should act. Today, I'm signing onto the Access to Family Building Act to ensure those protections are in place."

The Congressman's move shows his strong support of IVF and his firm intention to protect IVF on a national level, given his keen understanding of the importance of offering federal protections for the process. 

"There is no greater joy in life than being a parent," Lawler concludes, "and no one should be denied that opportunity because of infertility. For millions of Americans, IVF treatments are critically important to help build their family, and Congress should take action to protect it. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and bring it to the floor for a vote."

"According to the CDC, infertility affects one in five women in the United States," Wild says of her new act. "In fact, it affected me. I firmly believe as lawmakers that it is our duty to support these families, not to restrict their access to reproductive healthcare."