FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 14, 2022
Contact: Mallory Carroll, [email protected]
Biden’s Nominee Weakened Safeguards on Abortion Drugs, Endangering Women & Children
Washington, D.C. – Ahead of an anticipated U.S. Senate vote on the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, the national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) reiterated its opposition to Califf and urged members of the Senate to reject the nomination.
SBA List previously announced that it will score against the vote on Califf should his nomination advance to the full Senate. In addition, a coalition of nearly 50 pro-life groups spearheaded by SBA List sent a letter to the Senate citing Califf’s role in weakening safeguards on chemical abortion drugs during the Obama administration.
The FDA post is a key position responsible for abortion drug policy. Last December the Biden administration moved to weaken longstanding federal safety regulations against mail-order abortion drugs. The administration policy allows for dangerous at-home, do-it-yourself abortions without necessary medical oversight. Regardless of the outcome of today’s vote, SBA List will continue to monitor the FDA’s actions to expand chemical abortion drugs.
SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser stated:
“Robert Califf showed extreme disregard for women’s health and safety and unborn lives during his previous tenure and failed to take responsibility when asked about his decision-making role in weakening chemical abortion drug safeguards. There is little doubt Califf will rubber-stamp the abortion lobby agenda and permanently authorize mail-order abortion drugs if confirmed to lead the FDA. We urge all members of the Senate to stand with women and children and reject this nominee.”
A recent, first-of-its-kind study authored by Dr. James Studnicki and a team of experts at the Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI) found that chemical abortion is a major public health threat. The study found that the rate of abortion-related emergency room visits following a chemical abortion increased by more than 500% from 2002 through 2015. By analyzing 423,000 confirmed abortions, CLI scholars also found that the rate of chemical abortion-related ER visits is growing much faster than surgical abortion-related ER visits, and chemical abortion makes subsequent abortions more dangerous.
Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas have enacted state-level safeguards against mail-order abortion drugs. Several additional states are considering legislation to be introduced during the 2022 session.
SBA List is a network of 900,000 pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.
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