Former President Donald Trump announced his new in-vitro fertilization (IVF) policy while touring the midwest on Thursday night, garnering the support of a full crowd at a town hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The policy would ensure that “your government” will either pay for IVF treatment or mandate insurance companies to cover it. Trump emphasized his commitment to supporting families and the desire for people to have babies.
During the event, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (I-HI), who was moderating the town hall, shared her personal experience with unsuccessful IVF treatments while in Congress, highlighting the emotional struggle faced by many couples in a similar situation. Van Orden, who is defending his seat against Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke on Wisconsin’s western border, expressed his support for Trump’s newly rolled out policy, emphasizing that the Republican Party is the party of the family.
However, there is some controversy surrounding excess embryos created during the IVF process, as many pro-life voters consider this a point of concern. Van Orden acknowledged not having all the answers about the disposal of these embryos but remains supportive of individuals using this technology to have children. Both Trump and Van Orden support exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother in cases involving abortion.
Democrats, including Harris, have been focusing on reproductive rights in battleground states like Wisconsin, emphasizing IVF and abortion exception cases. In response to questions about his position on abortion, Van Orden criticized the Democrats’ stance on taxpayer-funded abortions up to birth for any reason and highlighted the need for compassion for women facing difficult decisions during pregnancy.
Former political fundraiser and strategist Rebecca Cooke, who won the August primary for the Democratic ticket, will face Van Orden in November. Democrats are investing millions in the race to unseat the former Navy Seal, but the Cooke Political Report rates Van Orden’s house race as Lean Republican.
