Sen. Bill Cassidy says issues that abortion capsule ruling will upend FDA authority are ‘alarmist’

Sen. Bill Cassidy on Sunday described fears by Democrats {that a} courtroom ruling in opposition to the abortion capsule mifepristone might uproot the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of different medication as vastly exaggerated.

“I think that’s totally alarmist,” the Louisiana Republican and former doctor mentioned on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “I also think that the FDA should not be above the law.”

Two federal judges handed down conflicting orders earlier this month on whether or not the over-the-counter abortion drug ought to be protected or restricted as a result of its fast-tracked FDA approval greater than twenty years in the past that doubtlessly violated the regulation.

A federal appeals courtroom final week partially blocked a ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas that suspended the FDA’s approval of mifepristone. Judge Kacsmaryk dominated that the courtroom “does not second-guess FDA’s decision-making lightly” however that the “FDA acquiesced on its legitimate safety concerns — in violation of its statutory duty — based on plainly unsound reasoning and studies that did not support its conclusions.”

At the request of the Justice Department, Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. on Friday placed on maintain Judge Kacsmaryk’s determination, preserving entry to the drug because the case performs out.

The ruling in opposition to mifepristone has prompted fears amongst Democratic lawmakers and pro-choice advocates that the abortion drug may very well be outlawed in states looking for to limit entry to abortions.