The US Supreme Court on Friday blocked new restrictions imposed by lower courts on a widely used abortion pill, marking a victory for the president’s administration. Joe Biden in his defense of wide access to the drug in the latest bitter legal battle over reproductive rights in the United States.
Two judges disagreed with the decision. In a brief resolution, the magistrates agreed to the emergency requests of the Department of Justice and the manufacturer of the pill, Danco Laboratoriesto stay a preliminary order entered on April 7 by District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas.
The appeals court blocked the ban on the pill but imposed harsh restrictions on access, after which the case went to the Court, where the Conservatives are in the majority.
Opposition to the abortion pill ban is led by the Justice Department, which argued that the judge’s initial ruling was based on a “grossly flawed assessment” of the drug’s safety.
Since the Supreme Court struck down the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, which established the constitutional right to abortion half a century ago, 13 states have banned abortion and in others it has been restricted.
Mifepristone is one component of a two-drug regimen that can be used during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Biden said in a statement released by the White House: “As a result of the Supreme Court stay, mifepristone continues to be available and approved for safe and effective use as we continue this fight in the courts.”
