Morelle says he will push back against efforts for national abortion ban

Press Release, Congressman Joe Morelle

ROCHESTER – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle joined with representatives from Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York in issuing a call to action on women’s reproductive healthcare rights.

This comes in response to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals’ attempt to suspend the Federal Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of mifepristone – a common drug used safely in medical abortions for over 20 years – which would effectively implement a national ban on abortions.

“What we are witnessing is the culmination of a yearlong coordinated attempt by Republicans to strip away the healthcare rights of millions of women by imposing what amounts to a national ban on abortion,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Women should never have to question the right to make their own healthcare decisions, and medical professionals must be able to provide the appropriate standard of care without judicial interference. This case underscores the urgency of our work in Congress—we must stand united and carry on the fight to establish strong federal protections for reproductive healthcare.”

In a politically motivated attack to further restrict access to reproductive healthcare, 5th Circuit Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, ruled to revoke FDA approval of mifepristone—a decision which, if upheld by the Supreme Court, would upend access to medical abortion nationwide, including states like New York where it is currently legal. Congressman Morelle has been warning about these consequences ever since the Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked exactly one year ago today.

Congressman Morelle and his colleagues have filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court to support keeping mifepristone available and protecting access to women’s healthcare. He also co-sponsors and continues to advocate for the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify the provisions of Roe v Wade into federal law and protect access to abortion nationwide.

“Although it has been presented as a safety issue, the Alliance case has always been a harmful, politically motivated attack on reproductive rights,” said Michelle Casey, President of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York. “We know that the goal of extreme anti-abortion actors is to ban abortion, birth control, and other sexual and reproductive health care nationwide. Simply put, they want to fully control what people do with their bodies. The truth is that medication abortion is incredibly safe and effective. It expands abortion access, reduces abortion stigma, and empowers patients to make their own private medical decisions. Mifepristone has been used by more than five million people in the United States since 2000 to safely end their pregnancies and treat miscarriages. At Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, we will continue to provide essential health care – including medication abortion. Everyone deserves the right to decide what is best for their body, their health, and their future.”