U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Texas Abortion Drug Case on a Technicality, Women and Babies Seek Protection

Washington, D.C. — June 13, 2024: Today, the United States Supreme Court dismissed a case 9-0 about the removal of chemical abortion drugs safety regulations in FDA v. Hippocratic Medicine, that originated in the Texas courts. A group of pro-life doctors sued the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the continued unlawful removal of safety regulations put in place due to the serious danger these drugs have caused for women and babies. Texas Values signed on to an amicus curiae brief along with other family policy councils in support of the pro-life doctors. The Supreme Court ruled that the doctors bringing the lawsuit did not prove that they had “standing,” a threshold legal issue, in order to sue the FDA. However, the Court acknowledged and agreed that pro-life doctors do have religious liberty conscience protections that protect them from being forced to perform abortions, which would be against their sincerely held religious beliefs. For more info on this issue, watch our video here.

Jonathan Saenz, President and Attorney for Texas Values, released the following statement:

“Today’s ruling  at the Supreme Court might look like a setback, but the fight is not over. Abortion drugs still remain dangerous and can end the lives of two people, with 1 in 25 women rushed to the emergency room after taking abortion drugs. But Texas laws are clear: babies’ lives are protected in the womb and the mailing of chemical drugs is illegal in the state of Texas!”

In 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law both the Human Life Protection Act and the Texas Heartbeat Law that protects babies in the womb from conception and has had the effect of shutting down abortion clinics in our state. Texas also passed a law in 2021 that bans abortions pills from being distributed through the mail.

Members of Texas Values law and policy team are available for comment. Email Ashley at media@txvalues.org or call/text 737-314-2450 to schedule an interview.

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About Texas Values

Texas Values is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org.