JD Vance’s previous support for IVF defies Jennifer Aniston social media slam

Actress Jennifer Aniston rebuked Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) over a resurfaced video clip, writing on social media she “truly can’t believe” he had once claimed the United States is being run “by a bunch of childless cat ladies.”

Vance made the comment during a July 2021 interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, which several people have reshared in the wake of former President Donald Trump selecting him as his 2024 running mate. The Friends actress mocked the clip on her Instagram story, accusing Vance of wanting to take away in vitro fertilization access, despite him speaking favorably of IVF in an interview earlier this year, according to information Vance’s office shared with the Washington Examiner.

“All I can say is … Mr. Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day,” Aniston wrote. “I hope she will not need to turn to IVF as a second option. Because you are trying to take that away from her, too.”

Vance voiced his support for IVF in an interview conducted in late February with WCMH-TV, during which he said he, Trump, and “pretty much every Republican that I know is pro-fertility treatments.”

“My view is babies are good, families are good,” Vance said. “And I want there to be as much access to fertility treatment as possible. And I think 99% of people agree with me, Democrat, Republican, or in the middle.”

Aniston’s comments about Vance could refer to his vote against the Democratic-sponsored Right to IVF Act last month, which would have expanded access to IVF and other fertility treatments. The bill required 60 votes in favor to move forward in the legislative process, but the final tally was 48-47.

Vance did, however, join many Republican senators in cosigning a separate bill on IVF, introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Katie Britt (R-AL). The bill, titled the IVF Protection Act, would have stripped states of Medicaid funding if they prohibited IVF but was referred to the Committee on Finance.

IVF became divisive among Republicans in February, when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos were considered children under state law. Trump, who became the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nominee last week, spoke in favor of IVF after the ruling, arguing that the GOP wants to “make it easier” for voters to create families.

Republican Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dave McCormick, who is challenging Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) this November, told the Washington Examiner that he is “a strong advocate” for IVF, calling it “a great contribution to society.” Last month, he proposed a $15,000 tax credit for IVF and other fertility-related expenses.