MAGA Republican Burgess Owens Pushed to Restrict IVF Access, Reproductive Freedom
SALT LAKE CITY, February 26, 2024 — Utah families have been bracing themselves as they witness IVF being paused in Alabama because Donald Trump intentionally appointed three Supreme Court justices who would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. What’s happening in Alabama is a direct result of the attacks Trump and Utah Republicans have been making for years on the most personal decisions a family can make, from contraception to IVF. Case in point: Rep. Burgess Owens cosponsored the Life at Conception Act just last year – an extreme bill that would severely restrict reproductive freedoms for Utah women.
“Let me be clear: The Alabama Supreme Court’s decision putting IVF in jeopardy was a direct consequence of Donald Trump’s presidency – and if he’s elected to another term, Utah could be next,” said Utah Democratic Party Chair Diane Lewis. “MAGA Republicans, including Burgess Owens, have already tried to restrict Utahns’ reproductive rights with no protections for IVF by co-sponsoring the Life at Conception Act. From birth control to IVF, the GOP has tried to insert itself into the most personal decisions a family can make – and they can’t run from that record. With freedoms hanging in the balance this November, Utahns know that the only way to protect the freedom to make decisions about their families and future is by rejecting Trump and MAGA Republicans at the ballot box.”
MAGA House Republicans support dangerous legislation that would rip away reproductive rights:
Just last year, Rep. Burgess Owens co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act, which would completely restrict reproductive freedom without any protections for IVF.
Donald Trump and his MAGA allies want to take this anti-freedom agenda even further:
Trump has bragged about restricting the reproductive freedom of millions of women, saying proudly that “I'm the one that got rid of Roe v. Wade.”
Trump’s extremist allies are already laying out plans for a nationwide abortion ban, attacks on same-sex marriage, and restrictions on contraception.
Trump has long supported a nationwide abortion ban, even saying in a speech to his MAGA supporters that “there of course remains a vital role for the federal government in protecting unborn life. And it’s very important.”
Trump has even gone so far as to call for punishing women who have abortions.
Trump has claimed credit for every extreme abortion ban passed thanks to his role in overturning Roe v. Wade, and said he was ‘proud’ to have terminated abortion rights.
And Trump’s close allies have plans to effectively ban abortion nationwide without the help of Congress. Trump’s allies could even attempt to prosecute doctors and patients for sending or receiving abortion medication in the mail.
According to a poll conducted by the firm of Trump’s own longtime advisor, 86% of voters support IVF.
Trump appointed an anti-IVF judge to a lifetime federal judicial appointment. He even added her to a list of potential Supreme Court picks.
The Trump administration proposed a rule that would have allowed health care workers to refuse IVF to women who were single, LGBTQ+ or in an interfaith relationship.
Trump’s White House and campaign hosted the Alabama Supreme Court chief justice who ruled to restrict access to IVF.
Trump’s Supreme Court appointee Amy Coney Barrett supported calls to protect life from fertilization and refused to answer questions about criminalizing IVF.
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