OK of new abortion pill--which will be legal in Florida--sets off firestorm over Robert F. Kennedy Jr. even in government shutdown
News and views for Florida's Left Coast
The federal government may be shut down, but that hasn’t kept Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from getting into hot water again.
The FDA, under his leadership, has given the okay to a new abortion pill. And right-to-lifers’ heads are exploding, calling it a betrayal. And top Republicans are calling for Kennedy’s ouster as the secretary of Health and Human Services.
The FDA decision will make abortion pills more readily available, including in Florida where they are legal even though the state has imposed strict limits on when abortions may be performed and how the pills may be prescribed.
Kennedy had recently announced that the FDA would conduct a “safety review” of the abortion medication Mifepristone—a sop to political conservatives and the religious right, and a not-so-subtle hint that the government would restrict its use.
Then along came a generic version of the drug seeking FDA authorization. And the FDA approved it.
The reaction from the anti-abortion crowd has been volcanic. As The Washington Post reported
“This reckless decision by the FDA to expand the availability of abortion drugs is unconscionable,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
“This is a wildly disappointing decision. We are extraordinarily disappointed,” said Kristi Hamrick, vice president of media and policy for Students for Life of America. “This has to be addressed.”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) said in a social media post about the decision that he has “lost confidence in the leadership at FDA.” Former Vice President Mike Pence said the decision was “a complete betrayal of the pro-life movement that elected President Trump” and called on Kennedy to be fired.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, which Kennedy oversees, said he had no choice but to approve the new drug.
By law, the FDA must authorize an application if it demonstrates that the generic drug is identical to the brand-name drug, and generic applications aren’t required to provide evidence proving safety or effectiveness.
According to the Post, some anti-abortion activists had gotten word that this would happen and wanted to protest the decision to members of Congress.
Tough luck there. House Speaker Mike Johnson, in a ploy to force Senate Democrats to approve the House spending bill that has caused the government shutdown, extended the members’ fall vacation so there would be no chance to take up a vote.
Which means there were hardly any Republican House members in town for the anti-abortion crowd’s wrath. But they’ll be back next week.
The abortion pill is legal in Florida, but there are restrictions. According to internet sources:
Gestational Age Limit: The abortion pill can only be prescribed up to 6 weeks of pregnancy.
Parental Consent: Minors under 18 years old require parental consent for an abortion.
Doctor’s Supervision: The abortion pill must be administered by a licensed healthcare provider.
No Mail Order: Florida prohibits the mailing of abortion pills.
What do you think? Share your views by clicking on the COMMENTS link at the end of this newsletter. Thanks!
Today on TV
The Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury are in the 2025 WNBA Finals, which begin tonight with Game 1 at 8 p.m. ET in Las Vegas. This is the first-ever best-of-seven series for the WNBA Finals, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7. The Aces earned their spot by defeating the Indiana Fever in a Game 5 overtime thriller, while the Mercury eliminated the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx.
Shutdown trivia
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history lasted 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. The partial shutdown occurred during Donald Trump’s first term, and the central issue was his demand for $5.7 billion to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump has now shut down the government again, but he got even with Mexico by renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Which, in case you didn’t know, is not a real thing and nobody outside the MAGAverse pays that the least bit of attention.
Florida factual
The world’s first scheduled commercial airline flight, from St. Petersburg to Tampa, took place on January 1, 1914, and was completed by a young pilot named Tony Jannus.
Announcements
The Key West Film Festival will honor comedian Billy Connolly and costume designer Deborah L. Scott with Golden Key Awards. The festival is Nov. 12-16. Get all the details from Ted Lund at his Above the Fold Substack Post below:
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J.C. Bruce, journalist and author, is the founder of Tropic Press. He holds dual citizenship in the United States of America and his native Florida. When he’s not blogging, he’s in training for the Florida Man Underwater Ping Pong Championships. Forward this email to your friends. They will love you for it.
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