Judge Kacsmaryk Hears Arguments in Case That Could Threaten Most Common Form of Abortion in U.S.

A federal judge in Texas heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could potentially threaten the most common form of abortion in the United States. The lawsuit, brought by the Alliance Defending Freedom, seeks to overturn the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the abortion medication mifepristone.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, appointed by former President Donald Trump, heard arguments from the Alliance Defending Freedom lawyers for four hours. The lawyers asked the judge to issue an immediate order that would revoke or suspend the drug’s approval.

Mifepristone is one pill in a two-drug regimen and has been used by millions of American women for over two decades. The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a coalition of anti-abortion groups, is arguing that the FDA’s approval of the drug was based on faulty data and that it should be taken off the market nationwide.

The FDA approved mifepristone in 2000 after determining that it was safe and effective for terminating pregnancies. The drug has been used in the United States since then, and is currently the most common form of abortion in the country.

Judge Kacsmaryk did not issue a ruling Wednesday, but said he would take the arguments under advisement. It is unclear when a decision will be made, but the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for women’s reproductive rights in the United States.