Anti-Abortion Extremists are Exploiting Federal Agencies to Ban Medication Abortion Nationwide

WASHINGTON, DC – Anti-abortion extremists are pressuring federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to abandon years of evidence-based research to ban medication abortion nationwide. Mifepristone is a safe, effective, and FDA approved medication that’s been on the market for over twenty years, and banning medication abortion will impact states even where care is legal. According to research from Reproductive Freedom for All, restricting access to medication abortion could eliminate care for 64.5 million people across the country. 

Republicans and anti-abortion extremists are interfering with the medical decisions of patients across the country by rejecting science to impose a national abortion ban.

Veronica Ingham, Managing Director of Free & Just, released the following statement:

“Access to medication abortion is still under threat regardless of the speed at which Trump’s appointees move on their baseless mifepristone review. Republican lawmakers and extremist groups are committed to banning medication abortion and pressuring federal agencies is just another way to achieve that goal — regardless of the harm to women and families. Anti-abortion extremists will continue to search for any opportunity they can use to ban abortion nationwide, and what we’re seeing now is just the beginning.”

In light of news last week that the review of mifepristone is being delayed, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley – who called on the FDA to review mifepristone earlier this year – is doubling down on his efforts to ban medication abortion care by demanding answers from Commissioner Makary on why the review on mifepristone is being stalled. Meanwhile, extremist groups like former Vice President Pence’s organization Advancing American Freedom Foundation, Students for Life, and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America are bullying Republican lawmakers into exploiting government agencies to attack reproductive freedom.  

Bottomline: Despite over twenty years of evidence-based research confirming that mifepristone is safe and effective, Republicans and their extremist allies are weaponizing trusted federal agencies to ban medication abortion nationwide. 

If you are interested in connecting with patients, providers, or advocates about access to medication abortion and the continued attacks on mifepristone at the local and federal level, please contact Malachi White (malachi@freeandjust.us).  

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