U.S. births slightly decreased in 2025. That's according to new provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It reports just over 3.6 million births, about 24,000 fewer than in 2024. This decline aligns with expert predictions that the 2024 increase wouldn't start an upward trend. The CDC updated its data last week, covering nearly all of the babies born in 2025. Final numbers may add only a few thousand more. Despite efforts to encourage births, like expanding in vitro fertilization access, the fertility rate has been declining. Economic conditions and uncertainty continue to impact childbearing decisions.

Senate Democrats are holding a vote to move forward with legislation designed to protect women's access to contraception. The test vote on Wednesday comes as the Senate has abandoned hopes for doing serious bipartisan legislation before the election. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats are trying to spotlight issues they believe can help them win the presidency and keep the Senate in November. Democrats want to put Republicans on record on reproductive rights issues. A similar vote on ensuring nationwide access to in vitro fertilization could come as soon as next week. Neither bill is likely to pass the closely divided 100-member Senate, where Democrats would need 60 votes.