In a move guaranteed to make your next family dinner even more politically charged, Senate Democrats have introduced the legislative package known as the Right to IVF Act. This ambitious suite of four bills aims to protect and make in vitro fertilization (IVF) more affordable, which is sure to make it the newest hot topic, right behind pineapple pizza and whether the earth is flat.

The Legislative Quartet: A Fertile Imagination

The legislative package consists of four bills: the Access to Family Building Act, the Veteran Families Health Services Act, the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act, and the Family Building FEHB Fairness Act (NBC; CBS). Apparently, these titles passed through Congress without a single creative writing workshop or catchy acronym session.

IVF: A Basic Right?

This new legislative initiative aims to create a statutory right for patients to access IVF, protect providers from legal liability, ensure access for service members and veterans, and force more health insurers to cover fertility care (NBC; CBS). It's like a fertility-themed late-night infomercial: "IVF, now available to everyone! But wait, there's more!"

Senate Democrats vs. The Gauntlet of Anti-Abortion Laws

Senate Democrats accuse Republicans of endangering IVF through their robust anti-abortion positions, particularly pointing to a decision by the Alabama Supreme Court that recognized embryos as children. Following this legal brainwave, Alabama did sign legislation to protect IVF providers from any legal repercussions, which means they've got at least one more regulation on the books than the local lemonade stand.

Public Opinion: Spoiler Alert, IVF is Popular

A CBS News/YouGov poll found that 86% of Americans think IVF should be legal. So at least in this one instance, something reproductive-related doesn't immediately incite a national food fight. Yet, nothing is ever simple. Senate Republicans responded with their own bill hilariously titled the IVF Protection Act, which Democrats criticized for failing to adequately protect IVF and potentially allowing states to implement restrictive policies (NBC; CBS). Because if there's one thing we need more of, it's diametrically opposed viewpoints on everything.

A Focus on Reproductive Rights: June's New Theme

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that the Senate will focus on protecting reproductive rights in June. Given that reproductive debates have the calming effect of a firecracker in a fireworks factory, you can only imagine the excitement this announcement garnered.

The Sponsors

The legislative package is primarily sponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth, Patty Murray, and Cory Booker (NBC; CBS). These three probably drew straws to see who would introduce a bill that is sure to incite everything from college protests to dinner table tirades.

Of course, nothing in politics is ever straightforward. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith previously blocked the Access to Family Building Act from passing by unanimous consent (NBC). Because in the spirit of American sports, no legislative attempt should make it through without a blocker.

In sum, if you're looking for a new, cheerful topic to hash out over family dinner from now until June, Senate Democrats have delivered in spades. Because, clearly, we hadn’t had enough reproductive debates!