The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has advised Republican Senate candidates to express support for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and reject government restrictions following a recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that categorized frozen embryos as children. The NRSC memo, obtained by The Washington Post, emphasized the importance of aligning with public support for IVF treatments in the wake of the ruling, which sparked controversy regarding reproductive rights.

Notably, GOP Senate candidates including Bernie Moreno, Tim Sheehy, Dave McCormick, and Kari Lake have publicly voiced their support for IVF procedures in response to the Alabama ruling. The NRSC, led by Executive Director Jason Thielman, highlighted the popular sentiment favoring access to IVF treatments and discouraged efforts to limit such procedures.

This guidance comes amidst broader challenges faced by Republicans in addressing reproductive rights issues since the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The memo did not dictate specific discussion points regarding personhood and embryos involved in the Alabama case but encouraged candidates to frame their support for IVF as a defense of family values and individual freedom.

Former President Donald Trump has not commented on the Alabama ruling, while potential GOP presidential nominee Nikki Haley has expressed mixed views on the matter. With abortion rights and reproductive rights becoming key issues in the upcoming 2024 Senate races, the stance on IVF procedures is emerging as a significant factor for Republican candidates in navigating the contentious landscape of reproductive rights politics.