Pro-Life people are not happy campers at this moment
On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed an appeal from pro-life activists who sought to limit national access to mifepristone, an abortion-inducing drug. The court ruled that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) holds the authority to approve the use of mifepristone, even in states that have enacted laws banning abortion altogether. This decision came in response to a challenge led by officials in Texas against the FDA’s 2022 guidance on the drug.
Supreme Court unanimously strikes down lawsuit challenging FDA approval of abortion pill
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 13, 2024
Justice Brett Kavanaugh, authoring the unanimous opinion, stated that the plaintiffs did not have the legal standing required to sue. He elaborated that merely wishing to make a drug less available to others does not constitute a sufficient legal basis to establish standing under Article III of the Constitution. Kavanaugh noted that while the plaintiffs’ objections to elective abortion and the FDA’s regulations on mifepristone were sincere, they did not translate into a legal right to challenge the drug’s regulation in federal court.
Kavanaugh further explained that the plaintiffs had not shown how the FDA’s regulations would likely cause them direct harm, thus the federal courts were not the appropriate venue for their grievances. He suggested that they could address their concerns through the regulatory process involving the FDA or legislatively with Congress and the President. Additionally, they could voice their opinions on abortion and mifepristone in public and political forums.
The Supreme Court unanimously agreed that the plaintiffs in the Mifepristone case lack standing.
Justice Kavanaugh gave a hint on who would have standing, but that there is no reported injury to date.
The FDA is free to continue their lifted restrictions on the abortion pill. pic.twitter.com/oIg4LYSKgm
— Anna Matson (@AnnaRMatson) June 13, 2024
The arguments before the court in March focused on whether the FDA could override state laws that prohibit sending mifepristone through the mail to women seeking to terminate pregnancies. It was noted that following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, twenty-one states had implemented restrictions on abortion early in pregnancy. Fourteen of these states had imposed bans on abortion in all or most circumstances, with two others banning the procedure once a fetal heartbeat is detected, typically around the sixth week of pregnancy.
BREAKING: U.S. Supreme Court maintains availability of abortion pill Mifepristone.
ABC legal contributor @kateashaw1: "I do think that the FDA and the drug industry in general, and pregnant women who wish to terminate early pregnancies, are all breathing a sigh of relief." pic.twitter.com/7dS2PrXhef
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) June 13, 2024
The Supreme Court’s decision follows an event where former President Donald Trump addressed a conference of the Southern Baptist church—a group known for its strong pro-life stance—via video. During his appearance, Trump, who has previously shown support for in-vitro fertilization, did not mention abortion directly. His remarks came at a time when pro-life activists are seeking assurance that Republican policies will continue to support their views, particularly if Trump were to return to office.
Major Points
- The U.S. Supreme Firm ruled to maintain FDA authority over mifepristone, an abortion-inducing drug, despite challenges from pro-life activists.
- Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored the unanimous decision, stating that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing required for the lawsuit.
- The Supreme Court highlighted that opposition to FDA policies does not constitute a legal basis to challenge the regulation of mifepristone in federal court.
- The case addressed whether the FDA can override state bans on mailing mifepristone to women in states with restrictive abortion laws.
- The ruling followed former President Donald Trump’s address to a Southern Baptist conference, underscoring the ongoing political and social debates around abortion rights in the U.S.
James Kravitz – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
