Harshbarger, Hawley Introduce Bill to Ban Chemical Abortion Drug

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger introduced new legislation to ban the chemical abortion drug mifepristone and empower women harmed by the drug to sue its manufacturers. U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

As a pharmacist for decades prior to now serving in U.S. House of Representatives, I believe every drug approved in the United States must meet the highest standards of safety, transparency, and medical oversight," said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. "Yet the FDA under previous administrations has steadily dismantled critical safeguards surrounding the abortion drug mifepristone - removing in-person dispensing requirements, allowing the drug to be shipped through the mail, and limiting adverse event reporting so the most serious complications are no longer tracked. Evidence now suggests that real world risks to women are greater than the federal government has acknowledged. That's why I'm proud to join Senator Hawley to introduce the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act that would restore accountability and help ensure that women's health and safety - not politics - guide federal drug policy."

"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," said Senator Josh Hawley. "That's why I am introducing new legislation to ban the use of mifepristone for abortion and empower women to sue its manufacturers. Congress must act now to protect the health and safety of women."

The chemical abortion drug, mifepristone, is not safe for women. One recent study found nearly 11% of women who use mifepristone experience sepsis, infection, hemorrhaging, an emergency room visit, or another serious adverse event within 45 days. New data indicates these complications were even more common after safety measures - such as in-person dispensing - were removed by President Biden.

Corporate manufacturers of the abortion drug are profiting while women are harmed. The maker of mifepristone, Danco Laboratories, first registered in the Cayman Islands and received backing from prominent liberal billionaires, including George Soros and private equity managers. Its ownership structure is designed to evade scrutiny and escape liability. In 2022, the company's CFO said investments in the company had been "extremely profitable." Chemical abortion rates, and the harm to women, have only increased since then.

The Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act would:

• Withdraw the FDA's approval of mifepristone for abortion.
• Make distributing and labeling mifepristone for pregnancy termination violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act .
• Create a private right of action for women harmed by chemical abortion to sue manufacturers for damages.

This legislation is supported by Susan B. Anthony Pro Life America, Family Research Council, Alliance Defending Freedom, Concerned Women for America, Live Action, Students for Life of America, Ethics and Public Policy Center, and the American Association of Pro Life OBGYNs. Read their statements of support here .

Read the bill text of the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act here .