In a procedural vote on Thursday, Senate Republicans blocked a bill put forward by Democrats that aimed to ensure nationwide access to in vitro fertilization (IVF). The legislation fell short of the necessary 60 votes to advance, with a tally of 48-47.

The proposed bill, known as the Right to IVF Act, sought to enshrine into federal law the right for individuals to receive IVF treatment as well as for doctors to provide treatment. It aimed to override any state-level attempt to restrict access to IVF. Additionally, the bill aimed to make IVF treatment more affordable by mandating coverage for fertility treatments under employer-sponsored insurance and certain public insurance plans.

Republicans criticized the legislation as unnecessary overreach and a political show vote. Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas argued, "Why should we vote for a bill that fixes a non-existent problem? There's not a problem. There's no restrictions on IVF, nor should there be."

The vote comes as Senate Democrats are emphasizing reproductive health care as a key issue leading up to the November elections. This month marks the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and Democrats are raising concerns about the erosion of reproductive freedoms.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed support for the IVF legislation, stating, "Today, women and families across America are worried about more than Roe's demise. They're worried about what comes next, including the erosion of reproductive freedoms nobody thought were at risk. This includes access to services like IVF."

President Joe Biden criticized the Senate Republicans' refusal to protect access to fertility treatments for women in his written statement. He stated, "The disregard for a woman's right to make these decisions for herself and her family is outrageous and unacceptable."

However, Republicans have introduced their own bills on IVF and contraception. GOP Senators Katie Britt of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas introduced the IVF Protection Act, while Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa presented a separate bill to promote access to contraception.

Last week, Senate Republicans also voted against a Democrat-led bill that aimed to guarantee access to contraception. Most Republicans dismissed the effort as a political messaging vote, but Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joined Democrats in supporting the bill's advancement.

The IVF vote is the latest example of Democrats' attempts to bring legislation that is expected to be blocked by Republicans. Democrats argue that the need for these bills arises from threats to reproductive health care across the country, including a recent ruling by Alabama's Supreme Court that designated frozen embryos as children.

While Alabama has taken steps to protect IVF in response to the ruling, Democrats contend that access to reproductive health care remains at risk nationwide. There is strong opposition from certain groups, such as Southern Baptist delegates who expressed concerns about the destruction of embryonic human life through the creation of surplus frozen embryos.

As the Senate remains divided on issues related to reproductive health care, both Democrats and Republicans are engaged in a battle over legislation aimed at protecting access to IVF and contraception.