Dem
51
GOP
49
Given how much damage the Republican Party is taking thanks to the IVF decision in Alabama, we speculated that the GOP Senators just might let the IVF-affirming bill from Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Patty Murray (D-WA) pass via unanimous consent. This would have allowed the Republicans to try to get away from this problem without formally taking a position on it. Politicians generally love being able to avoid being pinned down on tricky issues.
So much for that. As soon as Duckworth and Murray asked for unanimous consent, the request was shot down by the exact same senator who shot it down the last time unanimous consent was requested on this bill, back in 2022. That, of course, is Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), who raised a list of objections to the legislation:
It would legalize human cloning. It would legalize commercial surrogacy, including for young girls without parental involvement. It would legalize gene edited designer babies and lift the federal ban on the creation of three parent embryos.
Does anyone believe ANY part of that?
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has not confirmed that he will bring the bill to the floor of his chamber for a normal-order vote, but if he doesn't, we would be very surprised. First, it advances a policy that has broad support, and that is much in the headlines right now. Second, it puts Republican members in a very difficult position, politically. Seems like a win-win for him and his caucus, but with the budget and other matters to deal with, you never know. (Z)