The Republican, who says he supports IVF, voted to block legislation that would establish a nationwide right to in vitro fertilization.
Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, has come under fire after voting to block legislation to establish a nationwide right to in vitro fertilization.
Republicans on Tuesday once again blocked the Right to IVF Act, sponsored by Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth. The vote was the latest effort by Democrats to highlight policy differences between Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, ahead of November’s election.
The 51-44 vote fell short of the 60 votes needed to move forward on the bill, with only two Republicans—Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska— voting in favor. Democrats have said that Republicans who maintain they support IVF are being hypocritical by refusing to support legislation that guarantees a right to it. Some Republicans have dismissed the bill as a publicity stunt by Democrats.
Many took to social media to criticize Scott after Tuesday’s vote.
« Rick Scott just voted NO to IVF protections—AGAIN. A fraud is always a fraud », Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a former Democratic congresswoman who is running to unseat Scott in November, wrote on X.
« Floridians know he’s lying when he says he’ll protect IVF, and he just proved it AGAIN. He’s trying to con Floridians, and in November we’re going to vote him out. »
Ashley Gantt, a Democratic member of the Florida House, wrote: « @SenRickScott blocked IVF protection. When people show you who they are, believe them. »
Another person wrote: « Rick Scott just voted against the right to IVF.AGAIN. What happened @ScottforFlorida??? I thought I could count on this grandpa to protect IVF!! »
In a statement, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said: « Rick Scott has again voted against protecting access to IVF—a miracle treatment that has allowed millions of Americans to start families.
