Kaine Statement on State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement regarding tonight’s State of the Union address:

“The State of the Union is always an important day. It was extra special this year because I was joined by Elizabeth Carr, who helped me shine a light on the need to protect reproductive freedom across the country, including IVF access. I’m glad President Biden emphasized that in his speech tonight—and that he laid out a vision for how we can build on our economic progress, continue to lower costs, keep our communities safe, and link arms with our allies around the world. It’s clear that President Biden is ready to work in a bipartisan way to deliver for the American people, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put their country above politics and join in that effort.”

Kaine invited Elizabeth Carr to be his guest at the State of the Union address. Carr was the first person in the United States born via in-vitro fertilization (IVF). She was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1981. Carr’s attendance at the State of the Union followed a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that led to restricted access to IVF in Alabama. The ruling sparked a push by federal lawmakers to pass the Access to Family Building Act, legislation cosponsored by Kaine to protect access to IVF and other assisted reproductive technology services.

Broadcast-quality footage of Kaine and Carr ahead of the address is available here.

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