Missouri Senator Josh Hawley hosts pro-life conference, introduces anti-abortion legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KQTV) -- In a conference on Wednesday, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley announced the introduction of new federal legislation aimed at banning the use of Mifepristone for abortion, a move that would halt the method of abortion by revoking its long-standing approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Hawley framed the announcement as a necessary step to protect women from what he characterized as a "dangerous" and "inherently prone to abuse" drug.

The conference featured advocates and individuals the senator described as "victims and survivors" of the drug's effects.

"This is a drug that is incredibly widespread and is inherently dangerous. It is also inherently prone to abuse," Hawley said. "It is time for Congress to do something about this racket."

The proposed legislation would specifically withdraw the FDA's approval of Mifepristone for elective abortion, while leaving its separate approval for treating Cushing's syndrome untouched.

The bill would also establish a new federal right for women to sue manufacturers and prescribers for alleged physical and psychological damages resulting from the use of abortion.

Hawley pointed to a study of insurance claims data, which he said showed "serious adverse health events," including infections, hemorrhaging and emergency room visits, occurring in 11% of use cases.

He contrasted this with the manufacturer's label, which he claims puts the rate at less than 0.5%.

"In reality, the health risk is 22 times higher," he alleged.

Major medical associations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, allege that Mifepristone is safe and effective, with a complication rate below 1%.

Hawley also argued that the capsule form of the drug and its current availability through telemedicine and mail-order make it a tool for "foul play."

He cited "about a dozen" recent criminal cases in which men have been charged with using the drug to force abortions on women without their knowledge or consent.

The Senator criticized past administrations under Presidents Obama and Biden for removing safety protocols that once required in-person dispensing and doctor follow-ups, actions he argued were driven by "abortion politics" rather than women's health.

"There are more abortions now in the United States than there were when Roe versus Wade was the law of the land," Hawley said. "70% of these abortions come with the use of the chemical abortion drug Mifepristone."

Hawley also targeted the pharmaceutical industry, specifically Danco Laboratories, which distributes Mifepristone in the U.S.

He noted the company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, arguing this is done to "avoid American liability" and "avoid transparency."

He alleged the company has made billions of dollars from a drug it knows is dangerous.

The Senator cast the legislation as a way to "put power back in the hands of voters" in states with abortion restrictions by cutting off nationwide mail-order access to the drug.

He argued that, regardless of state-level votes to protect life, Mifepristone is currently mailed into those states without a doctor's prescription or safety protocols.

"Only Congress can address this situation," Hawley concluded. "Only Congress can withdraw the FDA approval rendered way back in the Clinton administration for this drug that has proved to be inherently dangerous and inherently prone to abuse."

The bill would need to pass both the House and Senate and be signed into law by the president to go into effect.