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Senator Hawley Introduces Bill to Ban Abortion Pill Mifepristone
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri introduced legislation Tuesday that would strip FDA approval from mifepristone, one of the most widely used abortion medications in the United States. The Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act aims to prohibit the use of the drug for pregnancy termination nationwide and allow women to sue its manufacturers.
“The science is clear: The chemical abortion drug is inherently dangerous to women and prone to abuse. Yet major companies like Danco Laboratories are making billions off it,” Hawley said in a statement. “Congress must act now to protect the health and safety of women.”
The proposed legislation would withdraw FDA approval for mifepristone and classify its distribution for abortion purposes as a violation of federal law. If enacted, the bill would significantly impact abortion access across the country, as mifepristone was used in approximately 63% of all U.S. abortions in 2023, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
This bill builds upon Hawley’s previous legislative efforts from May 2023, which sought to establish additional safeguards for mifepristone and create legal pathways for women who experienced complications to sue telehealth providers and pharmacies.
The Missouri Republican cited research from the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., claiming that the rate of side effects from mifepristone is 22 times higher than what is indicated on FDA-approved drug labels. The EPPC study, which analyzed over 865,000 insurance claims between 2017 and 2023, reported that more than one in ten women experienced “infection, hemorrhaging, or another serious or life-threatening adverse event” after taking the medication.
Mifepristone has been at the center of legal and political battles since its FDA approval in 2000. During the Biden administration, the FDA revised regulations to allow the drug to be prescribed via telehealth appointments without requiring in-person visits, substantially expanding access to medication abortion.
In 2024, the Supreme Court unanimously rejected a challenge from the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine that sought to reverse the FDA’s approval of mifepristone. However, the court’s ruling was based on the plaintiffs’ lack of legal standing rather than an assessment of the drug’s safety or efficacy.
The Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that was formerly affiliated with Planned Parenthood, estimates there were over 1 million clinician-provided abortions in 2024, though this figure only accounts for states without abortion bans and excludes self-managed abortions.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Hawley penned a letter to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, urging him to review the EPPC data and take action against mifepristone. Hawley had previously questioned Makary during his Senate confirmation hearing.
“During your confirmation hearing, you pledged to me that you would ‘review the totality of the data and ongoing data’ to inform action on the drug,” Hawley wrote. “I urge you to follow this new data and take all appropriate action to restore critical safeguards on the use of mifepristone.”
The bill comes amid ongoing national debate over abortion access following the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Several states have since moved to either restrict or protect abortion rights, creating a patchwork of regulations across the country.
While Senator Hawley’s legislation faces an uphill battle in the Democratic-controlled Senate, it represents a significant effort by abortion opponents to restrict access to medication abortion at the federal level. The bill’s introduction signals that abortion will remain a central issue in American politics as the country navigates the post-Roe landscape.
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7 Comments
While I understand the desire to ensure patient safety, this legislation appears to be more about restricting abortion access than protecting women’s health. The science on mifepristone is nuanced, and reasonable people can disagree on the risks. I hope lawmakers will approach this issue objectively and in good faith.
Withdrawing FDA approval for a commonly used medication based on political motivations rather than rigorous scientific review is concerning. I worry this could set a precedent of eroding the independence of regulatory agencies.
This bill seems to be more about advancing a political agenda than prioritizing women’s health and safety. While the risks of mifepristone should be carefully considered, the science is complex, and reasonable people can disagree. I hope lawmakers will approach this issue objectively and focus on evidence-based policymaking.
This legislation seems like a politically-motivated attempt to limit abortion access rather than a genuine concern for women’s health. The science on mifepristone is complex, and reasonable people can disagree on the risks. A more balanced approach would be to have an open and evidence-based debate, not rushed partisan bills.
I agree, this feels like a cynical political maneuver rather than sound policy. Withdrawing FDA approval for a widely-used medication based on limited evidence sets a dangerous precedent.
This bill raises concerns about the politicization of medical decision-making and the potential erosion of the FDA’s independent regulatory authority. While the risks of mifepristone should be carefully considered, the science is complex, and reasonable people can disagree. I hope lawmakers will approach this issue with a commitment to evidence-based policymaking.
Revoking FDA approval for mifepristone is a drastic step that could significantly impact abortion access across the country. While the safety of this medication should be thoroughly reviewed, this legislation appears to be more about politics than sound policymaking. I hope lawmakers will approach this issue with nuance and objectivity.