MIFEPRISTONE IS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAME MIFEPREX AND IN A GENERIC VERSION. PHOTO: MICHAEL NOBLE JR.
A Texas judge has temporarily blocked the sale of mifepristone, an abortion pill, across the country, setting off a national fight over women's access to abortion.
This happened less than a year after the Supreme Court reversed its previous decision in Roe v. Wade, withdrawing constitutional protections for the procedure.
- The Trump-appointed judge cited what he called legal errors by the FDA 23 years ago in approving the pill, which is currently the most common method for ending a pregnancy.
- If the ruling stands, it could prevent access to medication even in states where abortion remains available, dramatically tightening access to abortion.
- The ruling will likely face further legal challenges in higher courts, including the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
- The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is considered one of the country's most conservative appellate courts, where former President Donald Trump appointed a half-dozen new judges.
- The case could also potentially reach the Supreme Court.
- The issue has become highly politicized, with Republicans remaining largely silent, except for Mike Pence, who called the FDA's approval of the drug a "20-year wrong."
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, "Let's be clear, this is about the Republicans' goal of a nationwide abortion ban."
