AUGUSTA — Tonight, a federal judge in Texas ruled against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone — a safe and effective drug commonly used in medication abortions dating back to 2000. The ruling is set to take effect nationwide in seven days, making it harder for Americans to exercise their right to abortion. 

Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, released the following statements in response the devastating attack on medication abortion:

President Jackson:

“Tonight’s ruling marks another devastating blow to Americans’ reproductive freedom. Elected officials and politically motivated judges have absolutely no business making decisions that should be left up to the American people and their trusted health care professionals. But clearly, these political actors think they know better than you.

“Mifepristone is a drug that has been on the market for more than two decades. It has met rigorous health and safety standards to earn approval from the FDA, and it has proven to be safe and effective. This is nothing more than a callous attack on medication abortion.

“I know people across this state and country are scared as the outrageous and malicious rulings continue to pile up. But all I can promise is this: Maine Senate Democrats will fight to protect your fundamental rights. We will hold the line against harmful anti-abortion legislation, and we will work to ensure that you have the resources and ability to exercise your right to an abortion.”

Senator Vitelli:

“The unprecedented, vile attacks on reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy continue. The Texas court ruling handed down today regarding mifepristone is grounded not in science, but in blatant sexism. I remember a time when abortion access was not legal — when those seeking an abortion put their lives and well-being on the line. Rolling back access to safe abortion care will only endanger people. Like many women of my generation, I am tired of this ongoing fight against attacks on our bodies and our health. But we’ll keep fighting, for as long as it takes, until access to safe, legal abortion care is once again the law of the land.”

Senator Daughtry:

“The court decision handed down today by a conservative, activist judge in Texas is near-sighted and senseless. As a young woman, it’s infuriating and terrifying to see these attacks on our bodies continue to escalate. Mifepristone has been legal and safe to use for two decades. Abortion is health care, and health care is a human right. Our courts should not be ignoring sound science in order to push their own political beliefs and control our bodies. The court ruling today will endanger countless lives. I’m grateful that in Maine, we’re holding the line against rollbacks of abortion care and attacks on our bodies. But my heart aches for patients who live in states where this isn’t the case.”

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