Rep. Susan Wild, Democratic Leadership Host World IVF Day Press Conference, Announce Wave of Support for Discharge Petition

Today, Congresswoman Susan Wild hosted Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, the Democratic Women's Caucus, Pro-Choice Caucus, and her House colleagues for a press conference in honor of World IVF Day. At the press conference, Rep. Wild, the lead sponsor of the Access to Family Building Act, announced that the discharge petition to force a vote on her bill to protect access to IVF received 155 signatures in the first 24 hours it was open.

"This World IVF Day, it is more critical than ever that we stand up and speak out about the need to protect IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies for the thousands of Americans who rely on them to grow their families," said Congresswoman Susan Wild. "Yesterday, I filed a discharge petition to force Speaker Johnson to hold a vote on the Access to Family Building Act, and I was met with overwhelming support from my colleagues. Having personally experienced fertility challenges, I will always fight back against cruel and extreme attacks from any politician or court who wishes to prevent hopeful parents from achieving their dreams of having children."

"This discharge petition is a chance for every Member of the House to show where they stand," said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. "Will Republicans stand up for freedom? Will they stand with tens of thousands of aspiring parents? Or will they continue to stand by Donald Trump and MAGA extremism?"

Also joining the members at the press conference were reproductive health care providers and advocates.

"Decisions surrounding reproduction are deeply personal. Those decisions should be decided by patients in consult with their providers and informed by scientific facts. Politicians should respect the individual and not interfere with medical choices about how best to have a child," said Dr. Mark Payson, Medical Director of CCRM Northern Virginia. "I urge Members of the of the House to recognize World IVF Day by signing on to Congresswoman Wild's discharge petition. Protect Americans' right to access IVF by passing this legislation."

If the discharge petition gathers 218 signatures from members of the House, Speaker Johnson will be required to bring the Access to Family Building Act to the floor for a vote. If passed, the bill would codify access to IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) at the federal level, protecting countless Americans who rely on ARTs to start or grow their families.

Since its introduction in January, the Access to Family Building Act, also known as the Right to IVF Act, has gained the support of over 200 cosponsors, including four Republican members of Congress. It has also been endorsed by support of numerous reproductive health organizations, including the Center for Reproductive Rights, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, RESOLVE: the National Infertility Association, Endocrine Society, Reproductive Freedom for All, the Building Military Families Network, and more.

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