MISS. SENATORS URGE FDA TO REEVALUATE ABORTION PILL APPROVAL

MISS. SENATORS URGE FDA TO REEVALUATE ABORTION PILL APPROVAL

Wicker & Hyde-Smith Join Colleagues in Letter Calling for FDA to Stand for Life

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, are among 51 U.S. Senators who are encouraging the Trump administration to review the recent approval of a generic version of mifepristone, the nation's leading chemical abortion drug.

Wicker and Hyde-Smith signed a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary, requesting a review following their recent acknowledgement of data discrepancies surrounding abortion pill safety and their commitment to review the science.

"We commend your recent statements acknowledging the data discrepancies surrounding abortion pill safety and your commitment to reviewing the science. We are also encouraged by HHS's recent announcement that it will review prior Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) approvals given the recent studies raising concerns about the drug's safety," the lawmakers wrote. "Given this commitment, however, we are deeply concerned about the FDA's approval of a new generic version of mifepristone. While we recognize the FDA's statutory responsibility in evaluating drug applications, the timing of this approval appears inconsistent with the comprehensive safety reassessment your agencies have prioritized. Out of respect for this important review, and with full confidence in your dedication to protecting women's health, states' rights, and unborn life, we urge you to take decisive action to reevaluate whether this generic version of mifepristone is suitable to enter the market."

The letter notes that not only does mifepristone pose serious health risks to both unborn children and expecting mothers, but the FDA decision also runs afoul of states with pro-life laws on the books.

"Unrestricted access to abortion pills is systematically undermining states' rights and violating pro-life state laws. Every month, thousands of abortion drugs are shipped into states that have otherwise limited access to abortion after Dobbs, degrading pro-life laws at the state level across the country," the lawmakers said.

The lawmakers also assert that the HHS and FDA "have all the information they need to bring an end to the previous Democrat-administration' abortion regulations while a comprehensive review is conducted." Among other things, the letter suggests the agencies suspend the approval of any new generic versions of mifepristone, include all generic versions of the drug in the review, and reinstate the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone and all generic versions of the chemical abortion drug.

In addition to U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who led the letter, and the Mississippi Senators, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Curtis (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), David McCormick (R-Penn.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

The lawmakers' request is supported by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, National Right to Life, Family Research Council, Human Coalition, Students for Life Action, Family Policy Alliance, Liberty Counsel Action, ERLC, Concerned Women for America, Eagle Forum, CatholicVote, and Christian Medical and Dental Associates.

To read the Senators' letter to Kennedy and Makary here.

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