U.S. Senator Tina Smith Statement on Recent Decisions by FDA and Justice Department Protecting Access to Medication Abortion

WASHINGTON [1/6/22] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement on recent announcements by the FDA and Justice Department regarding the availability of abortion pills:

“These two decisions by the Justice Department and the FDA are big steps in the right direction and will ensure millions of women across the country have access to medication abortion. But these decisions can be overturned by a future administration and we need more permanent solutions. By attacking and undermining access to safe and effective medications, Republicans are saying that government – not women, not their health care providers – should decide what’s best for women. As we enter the new year, I will continue working to pass my legislation protecting access to medication abortion and restore the reproductive freedoms Republicans have ripped away.” 

This week, the FDA announced that abortion pills will soon be available for purchase at local U.S. pharmacies with a prescription. Additionally, the Justice Department cleared the U.S. Postal Service to deliver abortion pills in states with strict anti-abortion laws.

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