US Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) speaks during a news conference, on protections for access to in vitro fertilization. Last week the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos have the same rights as children and people can be held liable for destroying them.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images


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ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images


US Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) speaks during a news conference, on protections for access to in vitro fertilization. Last week the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos have the same rights as children and people can be held liable for destroying them.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

The backlash to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling designating frozen embryos has been intense. Republicans at the state and national level have openly disagreed with the decision. And Democrats have used the ruling to hammer Republicans over reproductive rights.

Last month, Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth introduced a bill to protect IVF. It hasn’t gotten a lot of attention – until now.

Duckworth used IVF to build her own family, and has been warning since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade that the decision could lead to reproductive rights being challenged.

Duckworth discusses her legislation and whether she thinks republicans will support it.

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This episode was produced by Linah Mohammad and Brianna Scott. It was edited by Sarah Handel and Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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