Walz criticizes JD Vance’s views on IVF at Human Rights Campaign dinner

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz lashed out at Sen. J.D. Vance and former President Donald Trump during an LGBTQ+ advocacy group meeting Saturday, speaking about the importance of access to fertility treatments without acknowledging Trump’s recent promise to make IVF treatments free.

Walz, who has long spoken about the fertility treatments he and his wife underwent to conceive their two children, spoke at the Human Rights Campaign’s annual national dinner in Washington about the challenges of accessing IVF.

He took a sarcastic dig at Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, while ignoring Trump’s call for the government to help fund IVF treatments.

“It’s stressful,” Walz told the crowd, as he spoke about the trials he and his family went through to conceive.

“It’s tough. I really don’t need JD Vance giving me advice on this. It’s not helpful. It’s not helpful.”

Vance came under renewed scrutiny in early September after reports surfaced that he endorsed a Heritage Foundation report that proposed sweeping restrictions on abortions and fertility treatments.

He was also criticized for his comments about “childless cat ladies,” which sparked a media frenzy and a wave of memes.

Access to IVF has been in the news since February, when the conservative Alabama Supreme Court issued a ruling that would have ended access to IVF treatment.

Republicans have since distanced themselves from the decision while Democrats have used the issue to attack their party rivals.

Last month, Trump pledged to expand access to in vitro fertilization treatment through a combination of insurance mandates and government funding, though some conservative supporters oppose the move.

“Under the Trump administration, your government will pay – or your insurance company will be required to pay – all costs associated with IVF treatment,” Trump said at a rally in Michigan.

Meanwhile, Walz, at the HRC dinner, also spoke about LGBTQ rights and the importance of letting people 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 deeply. Why would I stop someone else from marrying the person they love?” he said. “It makes no sense.”

He added: “It’s a fact that some people are gay. But you know what’s not a fact? Our children need to be shot in schools,” Walz said.

Walz is considered an LGBTQ ally, as Minnesota has passed laws protecting access to gender-affirming health care and abortion, as well as banning conversion therapy.