The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing a case that could potentially restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone. The anti-abortion plaintiffs argue that the FDA acted outside of its authority when it approved and expanded access to the drug. Judges, all Republican appointees, appeared to be leaning toward restricting access, which could have a major impact on women's access to safe and legal abortions in the United States. A ruling is expected in the coming weeks.
Posts tagged as “The 5th Circuit Court of Appeal”
The Supreme Court has granted the Justice Department's request to leave in place the FDA's approval of the widely used abortion pill mifepristone, preserving access to the drug and reinstating steps that make it easier to obtain. This decision is a victory for abortion rights advocates, who argued that the restrictions on the drug were medically unnecessary. The case is expected to be heard by the full 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in the coming months.
A U.S. District Court judge in Texas ruled that the FDA's approval of mifepristone was illegal, sparking a debate over the future of abortion access in the United States. Democrats have called on the Biden administration to ignore the ruling, but the administration has yet to announce what action it will take. The FDA is expected to make a statement soon.
The Department of Justice has filed a request in a federal appeals court to block a ruling from a Trump-appointed judge that would have endangered access to the abortion pill mifepristone. The Biden administration is arguing that the ruling is "extraordinary and unprecedented" and should be stayed pending appeal. The FDA approved mifepristone in 2000 and it has since become one of the most commonly used abortion pills, used in combination with another drug to terminate a pregnancy.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a federal law prohibiting people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms is unconstitutional, in line with the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen. This ruling is a major victory for gun rights advocates, and could be appealed to the Supreme Court to decide the fate of the law.