US Supreme Court Rejects Bid To Restrict Use Of Common Abortion Drug

The U.S. Supreme Court thwarted a bid to limit access to a commonly used abortion drug, effectively countering recent attempts to restrict the procedure.

What Happened: The Supreme Court, on Thursday, dismissed a case brought forward by anti-abortion proponents against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Financial Times reported on Friday. The plaintiffs contended that the FDA had not adequately approved mifepristone, a drug involved in over half of U.S. abortions, and had not evaluated its safety for girls under 18.

Conservative justice Brett Kavanaugh, the author of the unanimous decision, declared that the plaintiffs’ desire to reduce the drug’s availability did not provide them with the legal standing to file a lawsuit. This judgment reverses a Texas district judge’s suspension of mifepristone’s regulatory approval, which had essentially resulted in a nationwide prohibition.

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Why It Matters: The Supreme Court’s ruling averts a potential political issue for Republicans as the 2024 presidential elections approach. While Republicans have traditionally backed anti-abortion measures at the state level, these issues could adversely affect their federal election chances, as a significant number of voters oppose further restrictions. Donald Trump has previously expressed concerns about the Republican Party's stance on abortion, suggesting it has negatively affected their electoral success.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court indicated its reluctance to restrict access to the abortion pill, questioning the legal standing of anti-abortion groups and doctors challenging its usage. The FDA’s actions, including extending the period for medication abortions and allowing mail delivery of the drug without an in-person clinician visit, have significantly altered access to abortion services.

In May, the Arizona Senate voted to repeal the state's 1864 abortion ban, a move that could impact the upcoming presidential contest between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. The repeal comes amidst a growing battle over women's reproductive rights across the U.S., following the Supreme Court's 2022 decision to leave abortion laws up to individual states.

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari