Republicans are becoming increasingly apprehensive about the depth of the anti-abortion movement's push to restrict healthcare, sparking tension with evangelical activists.
The recent ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court, which designated embryos as people and effectively banned in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the state, has ignited a significant divide among cultural conservatives.
Some of these allies have criticized lawmakers for their efforts to safeguard IVF, branding it as granting doctors a "license to kill" and warning of potential consequences leading to "thousands of dead human beings."
Moreover, certain groups are resorting to more aggressive tactics, including airing advertisements against established GOP allies, utilizing graphic imagery typically associated with opposing Democrats and the abortion-rights movement.
Notably, Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker, an advocate of Christian nationalism, played a pivotal role in shaping the IVF decision. House Speaker Mike Johnson also has affiliations with this movement.
While President Trump has advocated for a national ban on abortion, he has stressed the importance of protecting IVF. Indeed, Alabama recently passed a law enshrining IVF rights, with similar legislation introduced in Kentucky and Missouri.
Nevertheless, these initiatives are encountering opposition from local anti-abortion groups.
Jameson Taylor, policy director of the right-wing American Family Association Action, remarked that for many conservative Republican lawmakers, opposing abortion has become a simplistic means of signaling conservatism, suggesting that some may not fully grasp conservative principles.