Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy participated in a town hall with CNN Wednesday evening, where he expressed his hope that the U.S. Supreme Court would overturn the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the abortion pill. Ramaswamy, a Republican, appeared in Des Moines, Iowa, and discussed the Supreme Court’s decision to hear a case that could potentially restrict nationwide access to the abortion drug Mifepristone.
During the town hall, Ramaswamy argued that the case is not solely about abortion, but also about administrative law and the FDA approval process. He claimed that the FDA exceeded its authority by approving mifepristone in 2000 using an emergency approval, which he believes does not align with Congress’ criteria for emergency approvals. Ramaswamy stated, “It’s my opinion — it’s the Supreme Court’s that’ll matter, but I’m pretty sure they’re going to come down right where I am on this.”
The Supreme Court recently agreed to consider appeals from the Biden administration and drug manufacturer Danco, who are defending several FDA actions intended to make it easier to access and use mifepristone following the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year. In June 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee the right to an abortion and that individual states should decide on the matter.
Since the ruling, 14 states have banned abortion at all stages of pregnancy, while two others have banned abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, typically around six weeks of gestation. Mifepristone, also known as Mifeprex, is a drug used in combination with misoprostol to induce a medical abortion or manage early miscarriages. According to the manufacturer, Danco, over 5 million women in the United States have used Mifeprex since its FDA approval in 2000. The drug is 97% effective in terminating early pregnancies, but 3% of women may require surgical intervention for various reasons.
Pro-life doctors, represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, have challenged the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, alleging that the agency expedited the drug’s approval inappropriately. The Biden administration and the drug manufacturer are urging the Supreme Court to reverse an appellate ruling that would restrict access to the drug through the mail and impose other limitations, even in states where abortion remains legal. The proposed restrictions include shortening the time during which mifepristone can be used in pregnancy from 10 weeks to seven weeks.
Ramaswamy believes that this case is indicative of larger issues within the administrative state, stating that elected officials are not the ones truly running the government, but rather the bureaucrats in the three-letter agencies. He believes that if voters disagree with his position, they should use the “Democratic process” and expand abortion access through Congress, promising to rescind unconstitutional federal regulations if elected president.
The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, released a statement expressing concern over the potential overturning of the FDA’s decisions on the abortion pill. She argued that it would undermine the FDA’s scientific and independent judgment and restrict access to safe and effective medication abortion. President Biden and Vice President Harris remain committed to defending women’s ability to access reproductive care.
In conclusion, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy voiced his opposition to the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill during a CNN town hall. The Supreme Court’s decision to hear a case challenging FDA approval has sparked a broader debate about abortion rights and the role of administrative agencies. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for women’s access to reproductive healthcare in the United States.
