Supreme Court rules in favor of abortion rights

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – In a victory for abortion rights advocates, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge to the abortion pill mifepristone. The unanimous ruling preserves access to the widely used medication for now.

Both sides say this is far from over since the ruling was not about the safety of the medication but whether abortion opponents had the legal right to sue.

All nine U.S. Supreme Court justices rejected a lawsuit seeking to restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone but both sides of the debate say that’s not the final word.

“Will continue to advocate for women’s health and seek to restore common sense safeguards for abortion drugs,” said Erin Morrow Hawley, Senior Counsel of the Alliance Defending Freedom.

Erin Hawley with the Alliance for Defending Freedom represented the plaintiffs.  She argued against FDA regulations that allow easy access to the drug calling it dangerous.

“We’re hopeful that the FDA will be held to account for putting politics above women’s health,” said Hawley.

The Supreme Court decision allows people to still easily access mifepristone which is used in about two-thirds of all abortions.

“This is not a cause for celebration because the reality is certain things are still not going to change,” said Vice President Kamala Harris.

Vice President Kamala Harris argues too many women still lack access to abortions.

“Two-thirds of women of reproductive age in America live in a state with a Trump abortion ban,” said Harris.

Abortion is banned at all stages of pregnancy in 14 states and after about six weeks of pregnancy in three others.

Republicans, like Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, say the federal government should stay out of it.

“This is an issue states are going to make decisions on,” said Donalds.

The Senate’s top Democrat, Leader Chuck Schumer, argues Republicans in Congress are still working to roll back access.

“This shouldn’t be decision women are forced to fear year after year,” said Schumer.

Schumer has been bringing reproductive rights legislation to the Senate floor for votes largely to put Republicans on the record in an election year. The latest on federal protections for IVF treatments failed Thursday.

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