Texas federal court hears arguments from conservative Christian group seeking ban on abortion pill

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A Texas federal court heard arguments Wednesday in a case brought by the conservative Christian group Alliance for Defending Freedom (ADF) to request a nationwide ban on the abortion pill Mifepristone, Politico reports.

To be combined with a second pill, Mifepristone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over 20 years ago for use as a safe and effective way of terminating early pregnancy. Mifepristone has been increasingly prescribed since the US Supreme Court reversed Roe v Wade last year, withdrawing the federal right to abortion and returning the legality of abortion to be determined by individual states.

During Wednesday’s hearing in Amarillo, Texas, ADF attorney Erik Baptist asked Trump-appointee Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk to issue an immediate order that would revoke or suspend the drug mifepristone’s approval, Politico reports. According to the ADF, such an action “would restore proper policing power to the states.”

The FDA was expected to argue that banning mifepristone would further restrict women’s ability to make healthcare choices in early pregnancy and would create a precedent of hindering governmental scientific oversight of prescription drugs.

Judge Kacsmaryk could rule at any time after hearing the arguments, Politico said. In the event, the judge rules in favor of banning the drug, Department of Justice lawyers representing the FDA would immediately appeal that ruling. The FDA would also likely seek an emergency stay to stop an unfavorable decision by Judge Kacsmaryk from taking effect while the case proceeds.

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