WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – In a victory for abortion rights activists, the U.S. Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit against the abortion pill mifepristone. The unanimous ruling secures access to the widely used drug for now.
Both sides say the case is far from over because the ruling was not about the drug’s safety but about whether anti-abortion activists had the right to sue.
All nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit seeking to restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone, but both sides of the debate say this is not the final word.
“We will continue to advocate for women’s health and seek to restore common sense safeguards for abortion medications,” said Erin Morrow Hawley, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom.
Erin Hawley of the Alliance for Defending Freedom represented the plaintiffs, arguing against FDA regulations that allow effortless access to the drug and calling it threatening.
“We hope the FDA will be held accountable for putting politics above women’s health,” Hawley said.
The Supreme Court’s decision allows people to continue to easily access mifepristone, which is used in about two-thirds of all abortions.
“This is no reason to celebrate, because the reality is that things are not going to change,” said Vice President Kamala Harris.
Vice President Kamala Harris argues that too many women still do not have access to abortion.
“Two-thirds of women of childbearing age in America live in a state with a Trump-imposed abortion ban,” Harris said.
In 14 states, abortion is prohibited at any stage of pregnancy, and in three others it is prohibited after about six weeks of pregnancy.
Republicans like Congressman Byron Donalds of Florida believe the federal government should stay out of it.
“This is a question that the states have to decide,” Donalds said.
Senate Democrat-leader Chuck Schumer argues that Republicans in Congress are still working to restrict access.
“This should not be a decision that women have to fear year after year,” Schumer said.
Schumer has introduced a reproductive rights bill for a vote in the Senate, primarily to win over Republicans in an election year. The most recent bill to provide federal protection for IVF treatments failed on Thursday.
