Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and colleagues on Tuesday marked the upcoming second anniversary of the historic Dobbs decision by attempting to gain passage of pro-life and pro-women legislation, including Hyde-Smith’s Reproductive Empowerment and Support through Optimal Restoration (RESTORE) Act.

Hyde-Smith, chair of the Pro-Life Caucus, joined U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) in seeking unanimous consent for consideration and passage of legislative policies that affirm life and support women and babies in the womb. In each instance, Democrats objected to each bill.

“It still doesn’t feel real that we were able to overturn Roe. What a blessing that was for our country,” Hyde-Smith said in addressing the Senate. “However, we are still fighting daily to protect Americans from the harmful pro-abortion agenda being pushed by the Democrats. Pro-abortion advocates have been creative in spreading fear by using issues that Republicans support, such as access to IVF. I have been clear about my strong support for access to IVF and am grateful for its ability to help bring God’s beautiful creations into the world.”

The RESTORE Act is the latest pro-life and pro-women legislation sponsored by Hyde-Smith since the June 24, 2022, U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs that overturned Roe v. Wade. Its focus is on using existing federal programs to expand access to restorative reproductive medicine for the 15 to 16 percent of American couples affected by infertility.

“What we are trying to do here is promote long-term healing for couples struggling with infertility. We want to empower child-bearing generations so that families can address fertility concerns in a cost-effective manner. This bill is separate and complementary to IVF,” Hyde-Smith said before making her unanimous consent request.