Campaign Almanac: House Democrats’ ad campaign targets Iowa’s Miller-Meeks’ over IVF

House Democrats' campaign committee has launched a billboard campaign targeting vulnerable Republicans in swing districts who supported a bill that could have threatened access to in vitro fertilization.

The five-figure ad buy — which will be run in static, digital and mobile billboards throughout April — targets eight Republicans nationwide running in competitive districts, including U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Ottumwa.

Miller-Meeks co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act that states life begins at fertilization. Although the act includes language preventing “the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child,” it does not spell out protections for fertility treatments.

Miller-Meeks supported the bill in the 2021-22 Congress, though she has not signed on as a co-sponsor to the current legislation.

In a statement provided to The Gazette at the end of February, Miller-Meeks said she supports IVF as a physician and mother.

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“It is a beautiful pro-life act by families who want to bring children into the world. I also believe it should be covered by insurance,” Miller-Meeks said. “What I find extreme and disingenuous is … the Democrats’ belief that abortion should be available up until the time of birth.”

She did not specify whether she supports allowing parents and providers to discard unused embryos.

Miller-Meeks signed onto a resolution that states that the House “strongly supports the access to and use of IVF treatments, and “remains committed to common sense policies that enable families to grow” as well as “recognizes the fundamental truth that life is precious.”

Critics, however, note the resolution does nothing to protect IVF. Resolutions are non-binding statements that express the collective sentiment of the House on a particular issue and primarily serve as tools for political posturing.

“We will not let Americans forget that extreme House Republicans, including those who pretend to be moderates, continue to put politics over families by championing out-of-touch legislation that chips away at freedom,” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokeswoman Mallory Payne said in a statement.

The Life at Conception Act has become a flashpoint in the wake of Alabama halting in vitro fertilization in February. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children under state law and that those who destroy them can be held liable for wrongful death.

Alabama state lawmakers have since passed a law protecting IVF patients and providers from criminal liability, but did not address the underlying issue of whether embryos were considered people.

As elections loom in November, Democrats have seized on the ruling to sound the alarm that IVF protections could be threatened as well other rights after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade and ended the federal right to an abortion.

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Christina Bohannan, an Iowa City Democrat and former state representative running to unseat Miller-Meeks in Southeast Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, is among politicians nationwide urging stronger protections for IVF.

Bohannan, who has said she tried to have a child through in vitro fertilization, has called it disingenuous for Miller-Meeks to say she supports IVF while supporting legislation that would make IVF impossible.

Democrat challenging Hinson announces endorsements

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Sarah Corkery, a Democrat and Cedar Falls businesswoman, announced a slate of new endorsements from Iowa elected officials, organizations and party leaders.

Corkery is running to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Marion in Northeast Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.

Corkery’s campaign received endorsements from the following elected officials, state leaders and Democratic organizations: