North Indy News

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and most Republican senators in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary. The letter addresses concerns about data discrepancies related to the safety of abortion pills, specifically mifepristone, which is widely used for chemical abortions.

The senators expressed appreciation for recent statements from HHS and FDA leaders regarding their intention to review scientific data on abortion pill safety. They also welcomed HHS’s announcement that it will reexamine previous Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) approvals in light of new studies questioning the drug's safety.

In their letter, the senators stated: “We commend your recent statements acknowledging the data discrepancies surrounding abortion pill safety and your commitment to reviewing the science. We are also encouraged by HHS’s recent announcement that it will review prior Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) approvals given the recent studies raising concerns about the drug’s safety. Given this commitment, however, we are deeply concerned about the FDA’s approval of a new generic version of mifepristone. While we recognize the FDA’s statutory responsibility in evaluating drug applications, the timing of this approval appears inconsistent with the comprehensive safety reassessment your agencies have prioritized. Out of respect for this important review, and with full confidence in your dedication to protecting women’s health, states’ rights, and unborn life, we urge you to take decisive action to reevaluate whether this generic version of mifepristone is suitable to enter the market.”

The letter further noted: “Unrestricted access to abortion pills is systematically undermining states’ rights and violating pro-life state laws. Every month, thousands of abortion drugs are shipped into states that have otherwise limited access to abortion after Dobbs, degrading pro-life laws at the state level across the country.”

Other signatories include Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Curtis (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall(R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell(R-Ky.), David McCormick(R-Pa.), Ashley Moody(R-Fla.), Jerry Moran(R-Kan.) Bernie Moreno(R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin(R-Okla.) Rand Paul(R-Ky.) Pete Ricketts(R-Neb.) James Risch(R-Idaho) Mike Rounds(R-S.D.) Eric Schmitt(R-Mo.) Rick Scott(R-Fla.) Tim Scott(R-S.C.) Tim Sheehy(R-Mont.) Dan Sullivan(R-Ala.) John Thune(R-S.D.) Thom Tillis(R-N.C.) Tommy Tuberville(R-Ala.) Roger Wicker(R-Miss.).

The full text of the letter can be accessed online.