Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Saturday blasted Sen. J.D. Vance and former President Donald Trump at an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, speaking about the importance of access to fertility treatments without acknowledging Trump's recent pledge to make IVF treatments free.
Walz, who has long been vocal about the fertility treatments he and his wife underwent to have their two children, spoke about the challenges of accessing IVF at the Human Rights Campaign's annual national dinner in Washington.
He took a dig at Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, while ignoring Trump's call for government funding for IVF treatments.
“It's stressful,” Waltz told the crowd, speaking about the challenges she and her family faced with the pregnancy.
“It's hard. I don't really need J.D. Vance giving me advice. It's not helpful. It's not helpful.”
Vance faced a new investigation in early September. After the report spread he Heritage Foundation Report He proposed total restrictions on abortion and sterilization.
He also came under fire for his “childless cat-loving women” comment, which sparked a media frenzy and a plethora of memes.
Access to IVF has been in the news since February, when the conservative Alabama Supreme Court handed down a ruling that effectively ended access to IVF treatment.
Republicans have since distanced themselves from the decision, while Democrats have used the issue to attack their GOP rivals.
President Trump last month promised to expand access to IVF treatment through a combination of insurance mandates and government funding, despite opposition from some conservative supporters.
“Under a Trump administration, the government will pay, or insurance companies will be required to pay, all costs associated with IVF treatment,” Trump said at a rally in Michigan.
Meanwhile, at the HRC dinner, Waltz also spoke about LGBTQ rights and the importance of people being able to choose who they want to spend their lives with.
“My marriage to my wife, Gwen, is the most important thing in my life. I love her dearly. Why should I stop someone else from marrying the person they love?” he said. “It just doesn't make sense.”
“It's a fact of life that gay people exist, but you know what's not a fact of life? It's that kids need to be shot in their schools,” Waltz said.
Walz is seen as an ally of LGBTQ people, and has passed laws in Minnesota protecting access to gender-reassignment care and abortion, and banning conversion therapy.
