Lafayette Reporter

Sen. John Kennedy, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Rep. August Pfluger have filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the FDA's policy on the availability of abortion pills through the mail without proper medical supervision. Kennedy expressed his concerns, stating, "The FDA’s move to make abortion pills available by mail—without so much as a doctor’s visit—puts women and babies in danger. It’s also illegal."

Hyde-Smith emphasized the importance of holding the FDA accountable for endangering women and girls, saying, "The intent of our friend-of-the-court brief makes the case for holding the FDA accountable for endangering the lives of women and girls in its march to make abortion-inducing drugs easily available."

Pfluger echoed these sentiments, adding, "The FDA is not only breaking the law by making dangerous abortion drugs available through the mail without proper medical oversight, but they are also endangering the safety of women and girls."

The amicus brief argues that the FDA's actions have created significant health and safety risks for women and girls by permitting mail-order chemical abortion drugs in violation of federal law.

Background information reveals that the FDA initially approved mifepristone, the chemical abortion pill, in 2000 with strict restrictions. However, over the years, these restrictions have been revised to allow for easier access to the drug, including mail-order options. Legal challenges have been ongoing, with a recent ruling ordering a hold on federal approval of mifepristone, which was later put on hold by the Supreme Court.

A significant number of lawmakers have signed the amicus brief in support of challenging the FDA's abortion pill policy, including senators and members of the House of Representatives.

The case is set to be heard by the Supreme Court, with lawmakers and advocates pushing for stricter regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of women and girls in the use of abortion-inducing drugs.