Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday night, calling on voters to safeguard access to in-vitro fertilization and hold former President Donald Trump accountable for his administration’s restrictions on reproductive rights.
Duckworth cautioned that after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Republicans are poised to target IVF next. She criticized Trump for attempting to strip away women’s rights in the United States.
During her address, Duckworth expressed her personal connection to the issue, revealing that her daughters, Abigail and Maile, were born through in-vitro fertilization after a decade of struggling with infertility. She emphasized the importance of reproductive care in her ability to become a mother.
She warned that the Republican agenda goes beyond banning abortion, stating that they would pursue IVF as well, threatening to prosecute doctors and invade women’s privacy. Duckworth referenced recent events in Alabama to illustrate the potential consequences.
In her speech, she directly addressed prospective parents, assuring them of her support and vowing to send a clear message to Trump during the upcoming election: to stay out of personal health decisions and the Oval Office.
Duckworth also reflected on her personal battles with infertility, asserting that it was more painful than her military injuries. She criticized Trump and GOP members for undermining the reproductive rights of women and veterans who may require IVF due to injuries sustained in service.
She concluded with a call to action, encouraging voters to elect Kamala Harris in November, reinforcing the belief that every American should have the right to parenthood without being criminalized.