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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaAlabama lawmakers race to protect providers of IVFPublished33 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Supporters of IVF have lobbied Alabama lawmakers to act quickly to protect access to the fertility treatment in the stateBy Nadine YousifBBC NewsBoth chambers of Alabama’s legislature have voted to approve bills protecting doctors from prosecution if they damage or destroy an embryo created by in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The House and Senate need to vote on a unified bill before it can enter law. It follows a ruling by the state’s top court that frozen embryos have the same rights as children and people can be held liable for destroying them.The ruling created a legal headache for clinics, many of which pulled services.On Thursday, the Alabama House of Representative passed a bill to provide legal immunity “for death or damage to an embryo to any individual or entity” responsible for providing services related to IVF. Several hours later, the state’s Senate passed a similar measure. A unified bill could be put before both chambers for a vote by next Wednesday, before being sent to Gov Kay Ivey for her approval. Alabama’s legislature pushes to protect IVFWhat does Alabama ruling mean for fertility patients?Both bills come less than two weeks after the ruling by Alabama’s Supreme Court that frozen embryos are considered children, which was met with backlash by medical experts, IVF mothers and reproductive advocacy groups. It has also divided devout Christians in the state, some of whom celebrated it as “a beautiful defence of life”, while others worried it could lead to restrictions for fertility patients who want to have children. The response has sent lawmakers scrambling to protect access to fertility treatments. It has also sparked political debates on women’s reproductive rights and how the beginning of life is defined by the state. The Republican-majority House passed its bill overwhelmingly with a vote of 94-6 after nearly three hours of debate, during which some lawmakers expressed concern that it could undermine Alabama’s status as a pro-life state.Mark Gidley, a Republican representative, said he was worried the bill is a “knee-jerk reaction” to the court ruling, and that it is important the law recognise that frozen embryos are human life.Another, Ernie Yarbough, asked if it is “possible to do IVF in a pro-life way that treats embryos as children”. Others, like Democrat representative Mary Moore, disagreed with the court’s ruling and said it is important to protect IVF treatments as they help many families who otherwise could not have children.Similar debates broke out in the state’s Senate. One senator, Republican Larry Stutts, described the issue as a “moral quandary”, but noted that discarded embryos through IVF are a “small percentage” compared to the ones that are used or kept. Lawmakers also heard from women undergoing fertility treatments, one of whom testified before a House committee that she had spent nearly $400,000 (£317,000) on IVF and that she hopes that the money was not wasted.Terri Collins, a Republican representative who initially brought the House bill forward, said her aim was to “at least keep the clinics open and the families moving forward” while lawmakers work on a longer-term solution. “This solution is for opening the clinics right away, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” she said.Related TopicsFertilityRepublican PartyIVFAlabamaMore on this storyAlabama IVF row an election-year political bombshellPublished6 days ago’Fewer children will be born’: Alabama embryo ruling divides devout ChristiansPublished4 days agoFour ways the end of Roe v Wade has changed AmericaPublished24 June 2023Top StoriesLive. 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[ad_1] It follows a ruling by the state’s top court that frozen embryos are considered children.
![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaWho will replace Mitch McConnell as the Senate’s top Republican?Published27 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Phil McCauslandBBC News, New YorkMitch McConnell announced on Wednesday that he intends to step down as the longest-serving Senate Republican leader following November’s general election.For nearly 20 years, Republicans have relied on the effective Kentucky legislator to navigate the passage of conservative priorities.Since he announced the news, Washington has moved quickly to speculate who could replace Mr McConnell, who has skilfully held his fracturing party together in recent times. Those vying to succeed Mr McConnell, 82, face the daunting prospect of appealing to competing wings of the party. The eventual replacement will have to win the support of a majority of Senate Republicans.Here are some potential successors.Senator John Cornyn of TexasImage source, Getty ImagesThe Texas senator became the first lawmaker on Thursday to officially throw his hat in the ring for the position. Mr Cornyn once served in Mr McConnell’s leadership team, and he remains a close confidant of the Kentucky politician. He is widely considered a strong Senate operator thanks to his 22 years of legislative experience.In a statement announcing he was running for Mr McConnell’s position, he pointed to this expertise. “I am asking my Republican colleagues to give me the opportunity to succeed Leader [Mitch] McConnell. I have learned a lot during my time both in and out of Senate leadership,” Mr Cornyn said. “Throughout my time I’ve built a track record of listening to colleagues and seeking consensus, while leading the fight to stop bad policies that are harmful to our nation and the conservative cause.”Being outside of leadership could also prove to be a benefit, as he did not participate in the recent deal to pass foreign aid in the Senate. He also was not part of the failed border security negotiations, which proved unpopular with the Republican Conference. And, while Mr Cornyn has taken Mr Trump to task in the past, he endorsed the former president last month. He also never supported any of Mr Trump’s challengers, which saved him from earning the Maga movement’s ire. Senator John Thune of South DakotaImage source, Getty ImagesMr Thune is typically the first mentioned of the “three Johns” who are considered the top candidates to take on Mr McConnell’s leadership position.The South Dakota senator is currently the Republican whip, second-in-command to Mr McConnell, and he is known as an effective fundraiser within his party. He also is seen as a moderating force among Republicans, who have taken a hard turn to the right under the leadership of former President Donald Trump.But Mr Thune’s position in leadership could also undermine his ambition to take on Mr McConnell’s post. Some Senate Republicans, particularly those allied with Mr Trump, have made clear they would like a fresh leader.It is worth noting that Mr Thune only endorsed the former president’s candidacy a few days before Mr McConnell’s announcement. Mr Trump also endorsed the South Dakota senator’s Republican primary challenger in 2022.Senator John Barrasso of WyomingImage source, Getty ImagesAs the Republican Conference Chair, Mr Barrasso has an influential position within Senate party leadership – and he also has never crossed Mr Trump.That could prove to be the necessary recipe to earn the support of many of his fellow Republicans if he were to pursue Mr McConnell’s leadership post. Mr Barrasso was the second senator to support Mr Trump’s candidacy ahead of the 2024 primary campaign, and he has backed a slate of candidates who are in lockstep with the former president. He immediately dismissed reporters questions when asked whether he intends to battle for Mr McConnell’s position, saying that he remains focused on the election results in November.Senator Rick Scott of FloridaImage source, Getty ImagesMr Scott angered a number of his Republican colleagues when he mounted a challenge against Mr McConnell 15 months ago. He burned further bridges with them by proposing that several popular federal programmes – such as Medicare and Social Security – be renegotiated every five years. Even Mr Trump, who has been supportive of the Florida politician, has warned Mr Scott to “be careful” about his policy suggestions. While the chances seem low that Mr Scott would run again or win the leadership position, he has maintained that the Senate needs new leadership. That comment was reflected in the statement he shared after Mr McConnell’s announcement.”I have been very clear and have long believed that we need new leadership in the Senate that represents our voters and the issues we were sent here to fight for,” Mr Scott said.The dark horsesWhile the four men are the most likely candidates, Capitol Hill can always surprise political observers. After all, few would have considered Mike Johnson, a little-known Louisiana congressman, as a viable candidate for Speaker of the House.Senator Steve Daines of Montana could be a strong dark horse contender for the job. He currently leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and is leading the party’s efforts to retake the Senate majority. Many Republicans feel bullish about their chances thanks to his efforts, and the party’s electoral success in November could lift Mr Daines’ profile further. Mr Trump has also encouraged the Montana Republican to run for the leadership post, according to a Politico report. Sen Joni Ernst of Iowa, who served as the vice-chair of the Republican conference until January, is considered another potential candidate and a reliable backer of Mr Trump. Related TopicsRepublican PartyMitch McConnellUS politicsMore on this storyMcConnell to step down as Senate Republican leaderPublished1 day agoMitch McConnell: From polio survivor to political titanPublished1 day agoTop StoriesLive. Counting begins after polls close in Rochdale by-electionMore than 100 reported killed in crowd near Gaza aid convoyPublished3 hours agoSarah Everard killer should never have been police officer, says inquiryPublished6 hours agoFeaturesAnalysis: A royal dilemma as public curiosity over Kate growsChecking Israel’s claim to have killed 10,000 Hamas fightersMore than 30,000 killed in Gaza, health ministry saysWatch: Hairy Biker Dave Myers rides on to Ready Steady Cook. VideoWatch: Hairy Biker Dave Myers rides on to Ready Steady CookListen: Sadiq Khan on Sarah Everard Murder + Islamophobia. AudioListen: Sadiq Khan on Sarah Everard Murder + IslamophobiaAttributionSounds’No hearse’ for Navalny as family prepares funeralUK asylum backlog falls with record approvalsPostcode check: How’s the NHS coping in your area?What are assisted dying, assisted suicide and euthanasia?Elsewhere on the BBCWhat is it really like to be a monk?’To be a monk is something very vast, very high and very beautiful’AttributioniPlayer’We have built the world, perhaps inadvertently, for men’Philanthropist Melinda French Gates on what she’s learned from her life so farAttributionSoundsFrom the largest ship to disasters on deck…A closer look at times when cruise ships have caused commotionAttributioniPlayerThe screening dilemma…Could good intentions to detect illnesses early actually be causing more harm?AttributionSoundsMost Read1Analysis: A royal dilemma as public curiosity over Kate grows2Dave Myers’ wife remembers ‘wonderful, brave man’3’No hearse’ for Navalny as family prepares funeral4TikTok singer Cat Janice dies of cancer, aged 315At least 43 dead in Bangladesh building fire6More than 100 reported killed in crowd near Gaza aid convoy7Airport borders not working properly, report found8Sarah killer should not have been in Met – inquiry9MP Julian Knight will face no criminal charges10Horner reiterates denial after alleged messages leakAttributionSport](https://newsinsightplus.com/wp-content/uploads/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/1023B/production/_132770166_0e701cc91152952fe00cff9b038e7b4c302dbe3b.jpg)
