Reps. Matt Rosendale of Montana and Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma urged committee leaders not to include certain provisions from the House or Senate in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Their letter, shared with The Hill on Thursday, highlights ongoing divisions within the Republican Party, particularly concerning fertility treatments.
The debate intensified following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which reignited social conservatives’ focus on the belief that life begins at conception. This stance contrasts with the broader Republican support for in vitro fertilization (IVF), including that of President-elect Trump.
Rosendale and Brecheen urge committee leaders to reject House measures supporting IVF services for military families
In their letter, Rosendale and Brecheen specifically requested the exclusion of a House-approved measure that would provide assisted reproductive technology services, including IVF, to certain members of the armed forces covered by Tricare.
“Section 701 represents a huge expansion of IVF, burdening taxpayers with an estimated $1 billion annual cost. While we empathize with couples facing difficulties in starting a family, IVF is not a solution to underlying infertility issues, and it results in the destruction of innocent human life,” the lawmakers stated.
Rosendale has been a prominent opponent of IVF in Congress, repeatedly introducing amendments aimed at halting federal funding for the procedure. Despite Rosendale’s decision not to seek reelection, Brecheen’s involvement in the letter signals that skepticism toward IVF will continue to resonate within the Republican caucus on Capitol Hill.
