Senator Proposes Legislation Against Chemical Abortion
On Wednesday, Senator Josh Hawley proposed new legislation targeting chemical abortions, urging Congress to take action. A press conference on Capitol Hill featured pro-life advocates, spiritual leaders, lawyers, and women who have used abortion pills, all sharing their personal stories.
“We are here to urge Congress to protect the innocent unborn and ensure the health and safety of women endangered by the chemical abortion drug known as mifepristone,” the Missouri Republican stated.
The proposed bill, named the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act, seeks to revoke the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, ban its manufacture or labeling as a method of pregnancy termination, and enable women negatively impacted by the drug to sue its manufacturers. However, it won’t restrict the drug’s application for other medical conditions, such as Cushing Syndrome.
Hawley pointed out that mifepristone is produced by a foreign company, Danco Laboratories, which operates out of the Cayman Islands and imports the medication from Spain and China.
“We must confront these profit-driven foreign corporations endangering women’s health,” Hawley added. “They knowingly distribute a dangerous drug for profit, and it’s time for Congress to take a stand.”
During the event, speakers emphasized the drug’s risks. One significant study highlighted that 11% of women taking mifepristone experienced serious health complications.
Hawley also recognized that passing this legislation through the Senate would be challenging. “I plan to collaborate with my colleagues. My goal is to garner 60 votes. I understand it will require persuasion and compassion, but that’s our mission.”
This bill has a counterpart in the House, sponsored by Representative Diana Harshbarger from Tennessee.
“As a pharmacist, I believe every drug must adhere to high safety standards,” she stated, noting that previous administrations had weakened critical safeguards regarding mifepristone. “The real-world risks for women appear to be much higher than the federal government acknowledges.”
