The Latest Breaking News from Abortion

What the FDA's rule changes allowing the abortion pill mifepristone to be dispensed by pharmacies mean in practice – 5 questions answered

In early January 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration modified its rules for mifepristone, a drug used for medication abortion, allowing it to be offered with a prescription by certified pharmacies. Before this rule change, mifepristone could be dispensed only in person by providers at hospitals, clinics and medical…

The Conversation · Jan 11, 2023

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signs comprehensive gun bill banning sale of military-style firearms

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law Tuesday night a comprehensive measure that supporters called one of the nation’s toughest bans on military style firearms, immediately prohibiting their sale and giving current owners until Jan. 1 to register gun serial numbers with Illinois State Police.

Chicago Tribune · Jan 11, 2023

In lawsuit, student claims six Texas medical schools are illegally considering race and sex in admissions

The plaintiff is represented by a group created by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller and former Texas Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell, the architect of the state’s six-week abortion ban.

The Texas Tribune · Jan 10, 2023

House Republicans To Probe White House Pressure on Social Media Companies

Plus: House votes to rescind IRS funding, the FDA is putting unnecessary strings on pharmacies filling abortion pill prescriptions, and more...

Reason · Jan 10, 2023

The Texas Legislative session has begun. Here are 6 things we’re watching.

Lawmakers begin work today for their biennial legislative session. They’ll debate over the state budget, school issues, border security and property taxes, among other issues.

The Texas Tribune · Jan 10, 2023

Commentary: Abortion pills in pharmacies are the future. But the FDA should do more to expand access

On Jan. 3, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took a first step toward making abortion pills available at retail pharmacies. It released new rules outlining how both bricks-and-mortar and mail-order pharmacies can get certified to dispense mifepristone, the first pill in a medication abortion. But the agency also left…

Los Angeles Times · Jan 10, 2023

Birth control ruling to see fresh scrutiny at Texas Capitol

Texas lawmakers are returning to the Capitol for the first legislative session since a statewide abortion ban took effect, and access to birth control for minors is likely to command fresh attention

The Independent UK · Jan 10, 2023

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker sets out 2nd-term agenda as weapons ban bill heads for final vote

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Seeking to build on the successes of his four years in office, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker offered a second-term agenda Monday that called for a state constitutional right to abortion, making preschool available to every family and making public college free for children in working-class families.

Chicago Tribune · Jan 10, 2023

South Carolina Supreme Court rules 3-2 that the state’s abortion ban is unconstitutional

On Jan. 5, 2023, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled 3-2 that the state’s six-week abortion ban, known as the South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act, was unconstitutional. Signed in February 2021, the law banned abortion once cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks. The bill…

Ballotpedia · Jan 10, 2023

For new GOP House majority, a focus on abortion messaging

WASHINGTON — The House GOP majority plans to vote this week on three measures aimed at emphasizing their opposition to abortion, including a rules package that will fast-track consideration of legislation permanently banning federal funding of abortion.

Tribune News Service · Jan 9, 2023