Representative Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) on Sunday expressed disapproval of the GOP’s stance on reproductive rights and suggested that the party should put in more effort to comprehend the views of ordinary Americans on these matters.
During an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Dana Bash questioned Lawler — one of the few House Republicans backing a bill to safeguard in vitro fertilization (IVF) — about whether his fellow Republican members were taking the wrong position on the issue.
“If we support life as a party, we should fight to safeguard the ability of families to become parents. Ultimately, that’s what this is about. Millions of Americans face infertility issues and rely on IVF to ensure they can experience the joy of parenthood,” he explained.
Lawler also pointed out the lasting impact of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, which classified frozen embryos as children, leading to temporary suspension of some IVF services in the state.
Subsequently, lawmakers passed a bill addressing legal responsibility for IVF providers, leading to the resumption of some healthcare services.
However, the repercussions of the state’s high court ruling have persisted. Just last week, a Democrat successfully claimed a GOP-held area by a substantial margin, focusing on reproductive rights in her campaign.
“I disagree with the decision made in Alabama. The Legislature acted promptly, but there have been political consequences. People desire fairness. They don’t want extremism,” Lawler remarked.
Lawler emphasized the necessity for lawmakers to better heed their constituents.
“I personally support the pro-life stance, but I do believe in exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother,” Lawler mentioned. “I've made it explicitly clear that I will never back a national prohibition on abortion. This decision should be left to the state level and the voters.”
“And I believe we need to significantly improve our efforts to listen to and comprehend people’s opinions on these matters,” he added.
“IVF is extremely crucial for families nationwide, and I believe it should be safeguarded. That’s why I have endorsed federal legislation to do so, considering that some states have not taken steps to protect IVF.”
