Vice President Kamala Harris expressed caution following the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to maintain the legality and availability of the abortion medication mifepristone. Despite the ruling, she warned that the decision should not be viewed as a win for reproductive rights in the U.S., emphasizing the persistent threats to abortion access.
Harris highlighted that many women of reproductive age still live under restrictive abortion laws influenced by the Trump administration. She noted that the Supreme Court’s decision doesn’t alter these restrictions or the ongoing efforts to undermine abortion rights through executive actions.
The Supreme Court’s 9-0 decision to uphold the FDA’s regulation of mifepristone ensures that the medication can continue to be mailed to patients without an in-person doctor’s visit. This ruling represents a setback for the anti-abortion movement, yet Harris stressed the need for vigilance and continued advocacy for reproductive freedom.
Harris’s remarks reflect broader concerns about the fragility of abortion rights in the post-Roe v. Wade era. States with stringent abortion laws continue to pose significant challenges. Harris reiterated the administration’s commitment to protecting these rights and called for sustained efforts to safeguard reproductive freedoms.
The FDA’s approval of mifepristone in 2000 and subsequent regulatory changes, including mail distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been targets for anti-abortion activists. Harris concluded by urging a clear-eyed approach to the ongoing threats to reproductive freedom, underscoring the need for vigilance and advocacy.