WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court gave itself more time on a decision expected Wednesday about a commonly used abortion drug, extending until Friday a temporary pause on a lower court ruling that would restrict availability of mifepristone.
Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. issued the brief order in the challenge to the Food and Drug Administration’s two-decade old approval of mifepristone, which is used in medication abortions, keeping the drug at least temporarily available for now.
The Supreme Court has paused a district court order that would suspend the FDA approval of the drug and an appeals court ruling restricting its availability. The Supreme Court decision in the case will come less than a year after the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion.
