ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Now’s the time to pass sweeping legislation to protect women’s reproductive rights around the state and beyond, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said at a campaign stop Tuesday at Cedar Crest College.
“Don’t think we can come up with a remedy two years from now or 10 years from now — this is the ball game,” he said to a crowd of about three dozen people.
“It’s up or down on this basic right.”
Casey, a three-term Democrat, was joined by his daughter, Elyse; U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley; U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois; and Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All.
On Election Day, Nov. 5, Casey and Wild will go toe-to-toe with Republican hopefuls Dave McCormick and Ryan Mackenzie, respectively.
“It really terrifies and infuriates me that there are people that are trying to just make that harder for women."U.S. Sen. Bob Casey's daughter Elyse
The topics hit close to home for Casey.
His daughter, Elyse, said both of her boys, ages 2 and 4, come from in vitro fertilization procedures. A medical condition made it more difficult for her to become pregnant naturally, she said.
Americans should be able to start families “on their terms,” she said, with help from medical professionals if needed.
“It really terrifies and infuriates me that there are people that are trying to just make that harder for women,” the daughter said.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me because at this time, in 2024, we should be expanding access to this science and reproductive technologies that we have.”
'Could happen in Pennsylvania'
A Right to IVF Act would let “individuals have the right to access fertility treatments and to make decisions about the use of their reproductive genetic material (e.g., embryos) without limitation or interference,” according to the Congress website.
Duckworth and Wild both have been vocal supporters and sponsors of the legislation, which has failed twice, they said.
Casey said he’d like another shot to vote in favor.
“And I’m supposed to listen to lectures from politicians on the right who are going to tell our families what to do? There’s only one remedy here: We’ve gotta beat these guys.”U.S. Sen. Bob Casey
“For something as essential to the life of a woman and a life of a family, about whether or not they can become a mother — I wouldn’t be a grandfather if it weren’t for IVF,” Casey said.
“And I’m supposed to listen to lectures from politicians on the right who are going to tell our families what to do?
“There’s only one remedy here: We’ve gotta beat these guys.”
Duckworth said she had both of her daughters through IVF, because of a decade-long infertility struggle tied to her military service.
Her legislation would let more related access for military men and women, also while bringing down costs of IVF meds.
It would also assist military members who may even experience a different legal situation if the IVF process begins in one state but has to be continued wherever their next assignment is.
“What we’re seeing in Illinois are families coming from thousands of miles away to access reproductive technology in Illinois," Duckworth said.
"But we're also seeing doctors leaving states and coming to Illinois, which leaves Americans in so many parts of the country without access to that care.
"And that could happen here in Pennsylvania, as well.”
Group: Endorsing Casey a no-brainer
This year, the Alabama Supreme Court declared IVF-created embryos to be unborn children under state law.
Alabama’s governor signed another piece of legislation a month later to protect associated doctors and clinics with civil and criminal immunity.
“For every man in this room who has children or hopes to have children someday, or is married to somebody or with a woman who he deeply cares about, this is about your rights, as well,” Wild said.
“Dave is pro-life, is opposed to a national abortion, and supports exceptions in the cases of rape, incest, and saving the life of the mother.”Website of U.S. Senate Republican candidate Dave McCormick
In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the nationwide, constitutional right to an abortion previously established by Roe v. Wade.
For the Keystone State, abortion currently is legal through the 23rd week of pregnancy, though past that point requires a medical emergency, according to the commonwealth website.
In a report from Philadelphia’s WHYY outlining an Oct. 15 debate between Casey and McCormick this election season, Casey was quoted as having said the “people should get to decide” on whether abortion is legal, while also denouncing a nationwide ban.
McCormick’s website says, “Dave is pro-life, is opposed to a national abortion, and supports exceptions in the cases of rape, incest, and saving the life of the mother.”
In terms of IVF access, McCormick's pro-family agenda would call for families to get a $15,000 tax credit for fertility services.
"As PA's senator, Dave will oppose any effort to restrict IVF. Period," his website reads.
Timmaraju, who moderated the discussion, said her group endorsing Casey in the race was a no-brainer, with McCormick being “too extreme” to serve the interests of the state and country.
“We need common-sense solutions, and we need fighters for the regular people — and that is Bob Casey,” she said.
Reproductive Freedom for All has 4 million members lobbying for broader access to abortion, contraception, paid parental leave and more.
Casey will be in Scranton later Tuesday evening, joining in another rally with actor Martin Sheen, who was in Allentown earlier in the day stumping for presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
