ICYMI: Overton Runs from Anti-Abortion Record & Doubles Down on Mifepristone Review at Senate Confirmation Hearing
Anti-abortion extremists are positioning Overton to weaponize the FDA against abortion access
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee held a hearing for Dr. Heidi Overton, the Trump Administration's nominee for FDA commissioner. Dr. Overton’s nomination is one of the biggest threats to abortion access since the Dobbs decision. She celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade as "a huge victory for life," dismissed federal legislation protecting abortion rights as "radicalism," and has promoted false claims about the safety of medication abortion that contradict more than two decades of evidence. If Dr. Overton is confirmed to this role, she will be positioned to ban medication abortion which would impact nearly 64.5 million people nationwide — even in states where abortion is legal and protected.
During the hearing, Dr. Overton followed the familiar playbook of many previous Trump nominees across federal agencies: dodging questions and running from her own public record of being an anti-abortion extremist.
Throughout the hearing, Senators challenged her inconsistency with trusting science and evidence-based research versus her own beliefs and allegiance on topics ranging from vaccines to the safety of medication abortion.
Her unclear responses and inability to clearly articulate her intentions regarding the approval of medication abortion begs the question: will Dr. Overton’s allegiance be to the wellbeing of the American people or to extremists looking to push a dangerous and unpopular agenda?
Mifepristone was approved by the FDA over 25 years ago and has been proven to be safe and effective . Medication abortion currently accounts for nearly two-thirds of abortions across the country and has been critical in ensuring that people can access the care they need. According to research from Reproductive Freedom for All, restricting access to medication abortion could eliminate care for 64.5 million people.
During the hearing, Free & Just circulated a mobile billboard around Capitol Hill urging Senator Susan Collins and her Senate colleagues to protect abortion access and to reject Overton’s nomination. Sen. Collins notably voted to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was the deciding vote in overturning Roe v. Wade.
Free & Just also led a storyteller-centered letter to Congress to spotlight Overton’s extremism and debunk the misinformation from anti-abortion extremists about the safety of medication abortion.
BIG TAKEWAY: Overton is an anti-abortion extremist who is being positioned to escalate ongoing attacks on abortion for patients nationwide. While medication abortion remains available today, patients and providers are forced to navigate a complex and ever-changing legal landscape as extremists continue to chip away at access to care.
If you are interested in connecting with patients, physicians, or advocates about what Overton’s nomination means for doctors and patients across the country, including those living in states where abortion is currently protected, please contact malachi@freeandjust.us and kelly@freeandjust.us.
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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.