House Democrats are drafting a proposal in reaction to last week’s federal court ruling in Texas on abortion pills, stipulating that the Food and Drug Administration has the final say as it pertains to approving drugs used for a chemical abortion.
The FDA’s two-decade-long approval of an abortion pill called mifepristone was essentially nullified after a federal judge in Texas halted it Friday. This reportedly resulted in the prohibition of selling the abortion pill around the nation, with the Biden administration promising to appeal the decision.
“The Justice Department strongly disagrees with the decision of the District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA and will be appealing the court’s decision and seeking a stay pending appeal,” reacted Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement. “Today’s decision overturns the FDA’s expert judgment, rendered over two decades ago, that mifepristone is safe and effective. The Department will continue to defend the FDA’s decision.”
Now, Reps. Pat Ryan (D-NY) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) are plotting to forward a bill that emphasizes that the FDA has the last call when it comes to abortion pills over any state law, reported Axios. It also clarifies that healthcare providers can prescribe abortion pills through the use of telemedicine.
“[T]he Texas decision has nothing to do with science or medicine,” Ryan said in an issued statement.
“This legislation will reaffirm the FDA’s approval authority and protect doctors who use telemedicine to prescribe medication abortion.”
According to Axios, Ryan emerged victorious in a special election last August after he made abortion a key focus of his campaign. The outlet pointed out that the proposal by Ryan and Fletcher is mostly symbolic, as it likely will make little impact in the Republican-dominated House.
Reports indicate that Democrats, who are furious about the court decision, have largely called on the Biden administration to disregard it entirely.
"I believe that the Biden administration should ignore this ruling": Rep. @AOC reacts to Texas judge's abortion pill ruling https://t.co/fLN25Ll12Y pic.twitter.com/EFUTyFFHqI
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) April 8, 2023
Some, however, disagree, including Sen. Cortez Masto (D-NV).
Some Democrats have called on Biden admin to ignore the Texas abortion pill ruling. @SenCortezMasto disagrees:
"We can't ignore the ruling…It is important that we let it play out in the courts but we continue to fight in the courts. This is a call to action for everyone." pic.twitter.com/MYfzy1QMxZ
— Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) April 9, 2023
The Washington Examiner noted that numerous prominent GOP politicians have remained silent on the matter, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Senate GOP Whip John Thune (R-SD), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
