Conflicting Ruling by Washington State Judge
A federal judge in Washington State issued a contradictory ruling less than an hour after the Texas decision, ordering the FDA to maintain mifepristone's availability in the 18 states that filed the lawsuit.
Legal Standoff Likely to Escalate to Supreme Court
The conflicting orders by two federal judges, both preliminary injunctions, appear to create a legal standoff likely to escalate to the Supreme Court.
President Biden Vows to Fight Texas Ruling
President Biden stated that his administration would fight the Texas ruling, emphasizing its potential nationwide impact on women's access to medication.
Significance of the Texas Ruling
The order by Judge Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, could result in the most consequential abortion decision since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June.
Justice Department Appeals Texas Ruling
The Justice Department filed a notice that it is appealing the Texas ruling and will ask for the decision to stay while the appeal is pending.
Lawsuits Seek to End Legal Use of Mifepristone
A coalition of anti-abortion groups and doctors filed a lawsuit to end the legal use of mifepristone, claiming the FDA did not adequately review the scientific evidence or follow proper protocols when approving the medication in 2000.
FDA and Justice Department Dispute Claims
The FDA and the Justice Department have strongly disputed the claims in the lawsuit, defending the agency's rigorous reviews of mifepristone over the years.
Potential Legal Options for Mifepristone Manufacturers
Even if the Texas ruling is upheld, legal experts suggest that manufacturers may have several options to continue supplying the drug and providers to continue prescribing it.
Abortion Providers' Contingency Plans
If legal access to mifepristone is blocked, some abortion providers plan to provide only the second abortion medication, misoprostol, which is used safely in many countries.
Medication Abortion Becoming Focus of Legal Battles
Since last year's Supreme Court ruling overturning the national right to abortion, medication abortions have increasingly become the focus of political and legal battles.
Washington State Lawsuit Directly Challenges Texas Case
The lawsuit filed in Washington state by Democratic attorneys general was intended to be a direct challenge to the Texas case, seeking to declare the FDA's approval of mifepristone lawful and valid.
