Sens. Cruz, Hyde-Smith Introduce Bill to Strengthen Controls of Dangerous Chemical Abortion Drugs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) this week introduced their Support and Value Expectant (SAVE) Moms and Babies Act to strengthen federal controls over the regulation and distribution of chemical abortion drugs. U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) sponsored the companion bill in the House of Representatives.
The 30 original Senate cosponsors of the bill also include: John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Debbie Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.). 72 U.S. House Members cosponsored Rep. Latta's companion bill.
Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said:
"I am proud to cosponsor this bill to protect unborn children and their mothers from the subversion of the abortion industry and its allies. These dangerous drugs not only end the life of the baby, but raise the risk of serious complications for the mother. This bill reaffirms that abortion is not healthcare, and endangering mothers and their babies is not medicine. We must take a stand against federal agencies that jeopardize public health and safety."
Sen. Hyde-Smith said:
"The dangers inherent with chemical abortion drugs are increasingly well known. Our bill would work to stop efforts to lessen their regulation and broaden their distribution to expectant mothers who are often not informed of the dangers of these sometimes lethal drugs. We must do more to protect women from dangers of mail-order or do-it-yourself chemical abortion drugs. I am pleased to renew this important effort with Congressman Latta and others supporters."
Rep. Latta added:
"We must do everything we can to protect and defend those who cannot do so themselves. In order to protect the sanctity of life, it is necessary to ensure our laws are protecting mothers, babies, and unborn children. Every life has value, and we must work together to be a voice for the voiceless and make significant strides to further pro-life policies. The SAVE Moms and Babies Act is necessary to recognize chemical abortion for what it is - dangerous. Pro-abortion advocates are working to loosen current restrictions on chemical abortion drugs and to make them available remotely or by mail. This bill is necessary to prevent the repeal of these common-sense regulations, and I am proud to lead the SAVE Moms and Babies Act with Senator Hyde-Smith."
Read a summary of the SAVE Moms and Babies Act here.
BACKGROUND:
The SAVE Moms and Babies Act would prevent labeling changes for already-approved abortion drugs; prevent providers from dispensing these drugs remotely, by mail, or via tele-medicine; and prevent the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from approving new chemical abortion drugs.
The legislation would prohibit the removal of the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) currently applied to these drugs due to known or potential serious risks associated with the medication, including incomplete abortions, infections, severe bleeding, and death. Lifting REMS warnings to make chemical abortion available by prescription would effectively override most state pro-life protections like parental involvement, waiting periods, and informed consent.
In 2017, chemical abortions made up 39 percent of abortions reported by the 32 states that require reporting on specific abortion methods, up from 5.5 percent in 2001.
The Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List), March for Life Action, National Right to Life, Family Research Council, and the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops are among the groups that support the bill, which Hyde-Smith and Latta first introduced in the 116th Congress.
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