The week in politics: Gov. Bill Lee signs legal protections for contraceptives, IVF

Read the full article from The Tennessean

Following intense controversy – including a letter from 11 House Republicans asking him to veto the bill – Gov. Bill Lee has signed into law a bill that offers legal protections for women’s access to birth control and fertility care.

Lee told reporters he planned to sign the bill minutes after the legislative session adjourned, and the governor's office confirmed to The Tennessean that Lee signed it on April 24.

The move was hailed by the AWAKE, a nonprofit coalition of organizations and health care providers that supported the bill, including the Tennessee Medical Association, Tennessee Repro Coalition, and TN Fertility Advocates.

“Access to fertility care and contraceptives should never be politicized – these are essential tools that allow Tennesseans to build healthy families, make informed decisions about their futures and lead dignified lives,” AWAKE Director Kelli Nowers said. “Protecting the health and autonomy of women, children, and families is not a partisan issue – it’s a human one.”

In the days leading up to his announcement, the bill faced intense pushback from some conservative groups including Tennessee Right to Life, which claimed the bill would allow genetic testing that could "target tiny humans for destruction," and Tennessee Stands, which claimed it would codify a “right to abortifacients like Plan B,” and prevent the legislature from regulating IVF in the future.

In response to Lee’s signature, Tennessee Stands declared on social media that the governor “failed pro-lifers.”