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Senate to vote on IVF package amid Democrats’ reproductive rights push

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Washington — The Senate is set to vote Thursday afternoon on a legislative package to protect access to IVF, as Democrats make a push around reproductive rights this month — two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade — despite near-certain opposition from Republicans.

The issue came to the national attention after the Alabama Supreme Court earlier this year ruled that embryos are considered children under state law, prompting providers to halt fertility treatments. (The Legislature later approved legislation to protect IVF in the state.)

Across the nation, Democrats put the blame on Republicans as the development raised concern about similar moves elsewhere, warning of a new front in the fight over reproductive rights.

“In the aftermath of Roe and after frightening decisions like the one from Alabama, many families fear that this basic service cannot be taken for granted,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday. “The Senate can ease people’s worries and protect their freedoms through legislation.”

On Thursday afternoon, the upper chamber is scheduled to take a procedural vote on the package, called the Right to IVF Act, made up of four bills, some of which have previously been blocked by Senate Republicans. The package, which has almost no chance of being approved, is sponsored by Sens. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Patty Murray of Washington and Cory Booker of New Jersey, and centers on a right to receive and provide IVF services, while working to make the treatments more affordable. 

Sen. Tammy Duckworth speaks alongside Sen. Cory Booker during a news conference on access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments outside of the U.S. Capitol Building on June 12, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth speaks alongside Sen. Cory Booker during a news conference on access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments outside of the U.S. Capitol Building on June 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. 

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One measure would create a statutory right for access to assisted reproductive services like IVF. Duckworth tried to secure passage of the bill in February under unanimous consent, but one Republican senator objected, claiming that it would go too far. The package also includes a measure geared toward expanding access to the fertility treatments for veterans, which was likewise blocked by a Republican senator earlier this year. Other provisions are aimed at lowering costs for Americans by requiring insurance plans to cover IVF. 

Another push related to reproductive rights fell short in the Senate last week, when Democrats tried to advance legislation protecting access to contraception ,with most Republicans opposing the measure. The two votes come as part of an effort by Democrats to highlight reproductive rights this month, with an eye toward the November elections, which Republicans have criticized. But Schumer argues that the votes aren’t mere messaging votes. 

“Protecting IVF, like protecting contraception, is not a show vote,” Schumer said at a news conference on Wednesday. “It’s a show-us-who-you-are vote.”

However, Senate Democrats want to put Republicans on the record over the issues related to reproductive rights issues, which has been a driving force at the polls. 

“Every single Republican needs to answer clearly for the record: do you want our laws to protect IVF or do you want laws that say frozen embryos have the same rights as living, breathing human beings?” Murray said at a news conference on Wednesday. “You cannot have both.” 

And when it comes to IVF, although Senate Republicans have largely expressed support for the fertility treatments in the wake of the Alabama ruling, lawmakers appear to be at odds over a path forward that would satisfy both parties. 

Last month, two Senate Republicans, Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Katie Britt of Alabama, introduced legislation to protect access to IVF, urging bipartisan support. But Democrats quickly pushed back on the legislation, questioning its scope and mechanism.

The GOP bill, called the IVF Protection Act, the would require that states “do not prohibit in vitro fertilization” as a condition for the states to receive federal funding for Medicaid, which provides health insurance for low-income Americans. The bill doesn’t compel an organization or individual to provide IVF services, and it doesn’t preclude states from otherwise regulating IVF — which Democrats generally oppose. 

On Wednesday, Cruz and Britt attempted to approve the legislation under unanimous consent, in order to preempt the Democrat-led vote on Thursday. But Murray blocked the move, calling it a “PR tool” and argued that it’s “ridiculous to claim that this bill protects IVF when it does nothing of the sort.”

Though the Democrats’ IVF package isn’t likely to advance, at least one Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, said she intends to vote to advance the IVF package. She told reporters she doesn’t want “the message to be that Republicans are against IVF,” but she also noted that the move is “clearly not a serious attempt at legislating.” 

And Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, said she’s still looking at the components of the package. The two Republicans were the only members of their party to vote in favor of advancing the contraception legislation last week. 

Alan He contributed reporting.



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Latest news on Nima Momeni’s verdict watch, Luigi Mangione’s extradition update

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Latest news on Nima Momeni’s verdict watch, Luigi Mangione’s extradition update – CBS News


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The jury will announce a verdict in the case against Nina Momeni in connection to Cash App founder Bob Lee’s death. Also, the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing case faces a new extradition proceeding. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson has more.

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Nima Momeni found guilty in killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee

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Nima Momeni has been found guilty of second degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Bob Lee, a verdict reached by a San Francisco jury after seven days of deliberations.

The verdict of second degree murder carries a 15 years to life sentence and includes an enhancement for using a knife in the crime. Momeni was found not guilty of the more serious charge of pre-meditated first degree murder.

Prosecutors Dane Reinstedt and Omid Talai were present in the courtroom for the verdict, as was Sgt. Brent Dittmer – who testified in the trial – and a handful of members of the DA’s office. 

Defense attorneys Tony Brass and Zoe Aron were also present along with Nima’s mother Mahnaz Momeni. 

Outside the courtroom, Lee’s brother Timothy Oliver Lee said the family was satisfied with the verdict. 

“We we’re happy with the result today. We’re happy that Nima Momeni won’t be on the streets, no longer has the opportunity to harm anyone else in this world,” he said. “The verdict of murder two will put him away for a long time.”  

Shocking murder

Momeni was accused of fatally stabbing tech executive Lee in a secluded part of San Francisco’s East Cut neighborhood under the Bay Bridge in April 2023. 

Court officials announced late Monday afternoon that the jury had reached a verdict shortly before 4 p.m.

Prosecutors accused Momeni of stabbing Lee with a kitchen paring knife following a heated discussion regarding his sister’s relationship with Lee as well as their ongoing drug use. During the trial, Momeni’s lawyers claimed that their client acted in self-defense, alleging that Lee lunged at Momeni with a knife in his hand while high on ketamine and cocaine. The defense said Lee became erratic and aggressive after Momeni made a “bad joke” at the expense of Lee’s family.

Intense trial

The trial, which lasted six weeks, was punctuated by dramatic testimony, including an appearance on the stand of Momeni’s sister, Khazar Momeni. She testified as a witness for the prosecution and insisted during her first day of testimony that her brother didn’t kill LeeShe also detailed consuming several drugs with Lee and others in the days leading up to the fatal stabbing.

During cross examination by defense attorneys, Khazar Momeni described Lee as “all over the place” and “aggressive” while high on drugs. Her testimony was criticized outside the courtroom by Lee’s ex-wife Krista Lee, who accused her of trying to “make herself a victim.”  

The testimony turned contentious when Nima Momeni took the stand, as the defendant sparred with the prosecution during cross-examination after earlier describing how Lee allegedly attacked him while his defense team questioned him about the confrontation.

Prosecutorial challenge

San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai challenged Momeni’s version of the story and focused on his actions immediately after Lee’s death, including his calls to attorneys and text messages with his sister.  

The case wrapped up in the first week of December with prosecutors trying to tear down Momeni’s defense in their closing arguments and asking why he didn’t call police or tell anyone about Lee allegedly attacking him

The defense showed a bombshell video during their closing arguments, presenting surveillance footage they claimed showed Lee doing cocaine on the street outside a private club with the same knife used to kill him hours later. Defense attorney Saam Zangeneh used a cardboard cutout of the knife in court so the jury could see the size of the paring knife he said the video proved Lee had in his possession all along.

That video sparked a tense exchange between Zangeneh and Lee’s former wife, who let out a loud, mocking laugh as he showed the footage.

Zangeneh turned to directly address her, saying it wasn’t funny. Prosecutors quickly objected and the judge intervened to restore order in the courtroom.

The jury began deliberations on the morning of Dec. 4.



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Dec 17: CBS News 24/7, 10am ET

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Two killed, suspect dead in Wisconsin school shooting; Lawmakers to vote on short-term spending bill.

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