Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HR309

Introduced
4/19/23  

Caption

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Food and Drug Administration has the authority to approve drugs for abortion care.

Impact

The bill is a direct response to recent judicial actions that have sought to revoke or challenge the FDA's approval of mifepristone, a drug widely used for medication abortion, which conforms to over two decades of scientific research backing its safety and efficacy. By affirming the FDA’s authority, HR309 serves to safeguard access to mifepristone, which is a pivotal resource for reproductive health care over 5 million times since its approval. This resolution also aims to prevent any potential threats that judicial challenges could pose to other FDA-approved medications.

Summary

HR309 expresses the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve drugs specifically for abortion care, emphasizing crucial reproductive health decisions. The resolution highlights the importance of FDA's expert, science-driven decisions about drug safety and efficacy. It specifically asserts that the judiciary should not independently assess FDA approvals, as these decisions are intended to be fully based on scientific data and regulatory frameworks established by Congress through the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

Contention

Notable contention arises from the ongoing legal battles concerning mifepristone. Many legislators and advocacy groups argue that the judicial interference into FDA's drug approval process undermines established regulatory practices that are designed to prioritize public health based on scientific research. Furthermore, the challenge to mifepristone is emblematic of broader conflicts over reproductive rights, where supporters of HR309 contend that any reversal of its approval could significantly impede women's access to abortion care and broader reproductive services.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SR510

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the scientific judgement of the Food and Drug Administration that mifepristone is safe and effective should be respected, and law and policy governing access to lifesaving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable and based on science.

US HR1448

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that every person has the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care.

US HR238

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that every person has the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care.

US HCR68

Expressing support for the recognition of September 26, 2023, as "World Contraception Day" and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding global and domestic access to contraception.

US HB12

Women's Health Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services. Before fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from using particular abortion procedures or drugs, offering abortion services via telemedicine, or immediately providing abortion services if delaying risks the patient's health. Furthermore, governments may not require providers to perform unnecessary medical procedures, provide medically inaccurate information, or comply with credentialing or other conditions that do not apply to providers who offer medically comparable services to abortions. Additionally, governments may not require patients to make medically unnecessary in-person visits before receiving abortion services or disclose their reasons for obtaining services. After fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from performing abortions when necessary to protect a patient's life and health. The same provisions that apply to abortions before viability also apply to necessary abortions after viability. Additionally, states may authorize post-viability abortions in circumstances beyond those that the bill considers necessary. Further, the bill recognizes an individual's right to interstate travel, including for abortion services. The bill also prohibits governments from implementing measures that are similar to those restricted by the bill or that otherwise single out and impede access to abortion services, unless the measure significantly advances the safety of abortion services or health of patients and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. The Department of Justice, individuals, or providers may sue states or government officials to enforce this bill, regardless of certain immunity that would otherwise apply.

US HR1285

Condemning the pro-abortion policies of the Biden administration.

US HR545

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by 2050.

US HR979

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public health authorities and tobacco control advocates should encourage American innovation and embrace harm reduction as part of the comprehensive United States approach to tobacco control.

US HR253

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Vice President Kamala Harris should be removed from her position as the head of the Biden administration's strategy to address the root causes of migration.

US HR509

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to support the rights of youth in the foster care system.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.