51 Republican Senators Urge FDA To Continue To Stand For Life, Reevaluate Generic Abortion Pill Approval

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) led a group of 51 Republican Senators in sending a letter to the 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 commending their recent statements on data discrepances surrounding abortion pill safety and a commitment to review the science. In light of these statements, the Senators have urged HHS and FDA to review the decision to approve a generic version of mifepristone - currently the leading drug used to perform chemical abortions. Not only is this drug deadly for preborn babies and a serious health risk for expectant mothers, but the decision also runs afoul of states with pro-life laws on the books.

The Senators wrote, "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. 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."

They continued, "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 letter was signed by U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Jim Banks (R-Indiana), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Curtis (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), David McCormick (R-Pennsylvania), Ashley Moody (R-Florida), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) and Todd Young (R-Indiana).

To read the full letter, click HERE.

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