PLANO, Texas — Protecting in vitro fertilization (IVF), a popular fertility treatment for those who can’t conceive naturally, has been a top political issue for Democrats in the face of rising Republican opposition to the practice.
Earlier this month, the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s largest and most politically influential Protestant group, voted to oppose the use of IVF.
IVF became a top topic nationally earlier this year after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos were children.
That spooked IVF centers and supporters because of the common practice of discarding or destroying embryos.
State Representative Michaela Plesa, D-Plano, says if you don’t think IVF will be an issue in the upcoming legislative session in Texas, you haven’t been paying attention.
“As someone that has been undergoing my own fertility journey, I am very afraid for what is coming down the pipe as far as extremist Republicans in our state,” the Democrat told us on Inside Texas Politics.
Rep. Plesa says she is also ready to fight to protect other types of fertility treatments, including artificial insemination and surrogacy, which she also fears will be targeted.
The next Speaker of the Texas House will dictate the priorities tackled by lawmakers, including IVF.
While Rep. Plesa says we are a long way from January, Democrats are discussing what they would like to see in the next Speaker.
Democrats control 64 seats in the Texas House.
While some Democrats think that number could grow slightly after the general election in November, others, including Rep. Plesa, will have to survive re-election, as Republicans think they can flip her district (HD-70).
A candidate needs 76 votes to be elected Speaker, which represents a majority of the 150-seat lower chamber.
“It’s going to be a bipartisan coalition for the next Speaker,” the lawmaker said.
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