MADISON – Late last week, a federal court in Texas ruled to restrict the distribution of mifepristone, one of the two drugs used in a medication abortion. The decision is in response to a lawsuit filed by anti-abortion groups to overturn the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, which has been approved for use in the United States since 2000. State Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison), Senate Democratic Leader, released the following statement:
“Once again, politicians and judges are inserting themselves in the very personal and private medical decisions of girls and women. The ruling by Texas’ extremist federal judge will have chilling impacts on abortion access nationwide, even in blue states that have taken action to ensure that an individual’s reproductive liberties are honored and respected.
“Mifepristone, which is used in half of abortions performed in the United States, has been approved for use in the United States since 2000 and is medically safe. People without medical backgrounds continue to undermine the knowledge and expertise of medical professionals who possess decades of relevant education and practice. This politically-charged ruling will not only have dire consequences for individuals who become pregnant, but also for the scientific review and approval process that currently exists within the Food and Drug Administration.
“I will continue to support efforts by President Biden to restore nationwide access to mifepristone and abortion, and I will not stop fighting until reproductive freedoms are restored and respected in Wisconsin and in our nation.”
