Gallego Joins Congressional Amicus Brief on Imminent Threat to Medication Abortion Access
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined 239 Democratic Representatives and Senators in sending an amicus curiae brief regarding the case of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA. On April 7th, an extremist, Trump-appointed judge in Texas issued an unprecedented decision suspending the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Mifepristone, a drug approved for over 20 years for safe, medication-assisted abortions and miscarriage treatments.
Following the filing of the amicus brief, Rep. Ruben Gallego, a member of the House Pro- Choice Caucus, issued the following statement:
“Let’s be absolutely clear - this decision in Texas is the latest step in the MAGA extremist march towards the elimination of all reproductive freedoms. That is their goal, and they will not stop until they make it happen. This judge isn’t a doctor or a scientist, and he has no place telling the actual scientists and doctors at the FDA that they are wrong. I’m proud to join my colleagues in pushing back against cruel decision, and I will not stop fighting for Arizonans’ reproductive rights.”
Over half of all abortions nationwide are performed using this method. Though the drug remains available in Arizona and 16 other states, for now, due to a separate ruling, Arizona women remain at great risk of being denied access to abortion services, particularly in low-income, rural, and tribal communities. The U.S Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit will soon consider the Texas decision on appeal.
For a full text of the brief, click here.
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Rep. Ruben Gallego is a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee.