House GOP backs off abortion riders in FDA spending bill
House Republicans are not including language limiting access to the abortion pill mifepristone in their newly unveiled agricultural funding bill, after a similar effort last year helped doom their 2024 plan while exposing intraparty divides.
The elimination of the mifepristone provision could be an election year sign that image-conscious Republicans are backing off some of the most contentious proposals as a concession to centrist and swing-district Republicans, as they try to fend off Democratic attacks on abortion ahead of the November elections.
The 2024 version of the bill contained a provision overturning the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision allowing abortion pills to be sold at retail pharmacies and delivered by mail.
The language helped make it impossible for then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and current Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to pass the bill on its own amid opposition from moderates.
Still, the exclusion of the abortion rider isn’t a guarantee other members won’t try to add it, or other controversial provisions in the form of amendments.
Leading up to November, Democrats are committed to holding Republicans’ feet to the fire on abortion and other reproductive rights issues, including contraception and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
House Democrats are working on a discharge petition to force a floor vote on legislation to create a federal right to contraception, after a Senate version failed to advance last week amid Republican opposition.
And Senate Democrats this week will bring to the floor a legislative package to protect IVF access, even though Republicans are also likely to block its consideration.
Welcome to The Hill’s Health Care newsletter, we’re Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.
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Effects of the landmark 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are beginning to show with many saving on health care costs through Medicare. However, unintended consequences of the bill such as increases in utilization management tactics, shifts in research dollars and more are also beginning to surface. Join The Hill, as we discuss lessons learned from the first round of Medicare direct negotiation and explore improvements going into year two.
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Gov. Jay Inslee says Washington will make clear that hospitals must provide emergency abortions
SEATTLE (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday said Washington will spell out in state law that hospitals must provide abortions if needed to stabilize patients, a step that comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this month on whether conservative states can bar abortions during some medical emergencies. There is no indication …
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, slammed his GOP colleagues for their acceptance of the Hunter Biden verdict … Read more
The wife of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said she wants to get back at people who raised a controversy after she and the justice were criticized … Read more
