Dear Neighbor,
Reproductive freedom is under assault. By trying to deny women the right to make decisions about their own bodies, Republicans in Congress, on courts, and in state legislatures across the country are threatening the very foundations of our liberty.
As you know, an extremist federal judge in Texas recently issued a horrific ruling that could effectively ban the use of mifepristone in all 50 states. Mifepristone has been safely in use for decades for medication abortion and to treat miscarriages. It’s safer than Tylenol and can be lifesaving in some cases. There is no – absolutely zero – science-based argument against its approval and use.
This ruling marks the first time in our history that a court has invalidated FDA approval of a medication, a shocking precedent that could open the door to chaos and politicization of what should be a purely scientific process.
Following the initial decision, the Department of Justice asked the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to review and, hopefully, block the ruling. I was proud to add my name to an amicus curiae brief signed by 240 Democratic members of Congress urging the Court to do exactly that. You can read the full brief here. In stark contrast, only 69 Republican members of Congress filed a brief in support of the decision to ban mifepristone.
Unfortunately, while the Circuit Court issued a partial stay that blocked parts of the initial decision, the judges also reinstated outdated and medically unnecessary restrictions that were previously lifted by the FDA.
Let me be perfectly clear – neither of these rulings are acceptable in a free society. The concerted right-wing effort to reverse decades of progress for reproductive freedom and women’s rights is shameful and un-American. I will do all I can to stop it.
My team and I are following this issue closely as it makes its way through the courts. I am pleased that today, the Biden Administration asked the Supreme Court to intervene and allow access to mifepristone to continue uninterrupted. I commend the Administration for fighting back against these extremists, and I urge the Court in the strongest possible terms to do the right thing and preserve access to this safe, legal, and necessary medication.
As we move forward, you can be confident that House Democrats are doing everything within our power to fight back against the radical anti-freedom and anti-woman forces that are driving this chaos. We will not be timid in our defense of American women and American liberty. If the Supreme Court refuses to act, Congress must. It was Congress who granted the FDA the authority to regulate medication, and Congress can act again to ensure it remains that way.
Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other, and remember my office is always here to help. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to call us at (703) 256-3071.
