Senator Bill Cassidy, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, along with Representative Chris Smith, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senator John Kennedy and 108 other Republican lawmakers filed an amicus brief on May 7 supporting Louisiana’s lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief urges the reinstatement of in-person dispensing requirements for mifepristone and aims to protect women and unborn children from what they describe as dangerous mail-order chemical abortion drugs.
The issue centers on federal policy changes that allowed mifepristone to be distributed by mail without an in-person medical visit. Lawmakers say this raises concerns about safety for women and proper oversight of abortion drugs. The committee responsible for such health policies works to legislate on public health issues across the United States, including oversight of agencies like the Food and Drug Administration according to the official website.
“I am grateful to my home state of Louisiana for leading the effort to defend women and babies in our state and across the country. Chemical abortion drugs kill innocent children and put mothers’ lives at risk,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Safeguards protecting against coercion, such as the in-person dispensing requirement, must be reinstated immediately. The Fifth Circuit got this right, and I urge the Supreme Court to affirm that decision.”
Representative Smith said: “In an effort to subvert the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization—which empowered pro-life lawmakers...to create legislation that protects both unborn babies and their mothers—Biden’s radical, pro-abortion FDA completely overstepped its authority...Mifepristone is extremely dangerous to women—in fact, more than one in ten women who take the chemical abortion drug experience sepsis...or another serious adverse event within 45 days.”
The case began after Louisiana resident Rosalie Markezich was reportedly coerced into taking abortion pills ordered online by her boyfriend following changes made under Biden administration policy. Last week a federal appeals court sided with Louisiana by temporarily restoring stricter regulations while litigation continues.
Other supporters include Marjorie Dannenfelser of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America who said: “We’re deeply grateful to pro-life champions Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Chris Smith for leading this amicus brief...The FDA’s decision...is unacceptable.” Lila Rose of Live Action stated: “There are horrifying cases of women being deceived, coerced, and drugged with abortion pills against their will...” Carol Tobias from National Right to Life added: “National Right to Life stands with the State of Louisiana in defending women and girls from dangers of mail-order abortion drugs...” Tony Perkins from Family Research Council concluded: “I’m grateful for Senators and Representatives who have signed this brief in support of Louisiana’s right...”
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee oversees key federal laws affecting health policy nationwide according to its official website. As chair during this Congress period according to its official website, Cassidy has led hearings focused on these topics.
Observers expect further debate as legal proceedings continue at both appellate courts and potentially before justices at the U.S. Supreme Court.
