U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) has joined a new effort in Congress to ban the widely used abortion drug mifepristone, backing legislation introduced in the Senate by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) that would remove federal approval of the medication and allow women who suffer complications to sue its manufacturers.
The legislation, known as the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act, would direct the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to withdraw its approval of mifepristone for abortion use. It would also classify the distribution and labeling of the drug for pregnancy termination as violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The bill would also create a private right of action allowing women who say they were harmed by chemical abortion drugs to pursue damages from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Cornyn argued the measure is necessary to protect both unborn children and women's health.
"The data is clear that Mifpristone, a mail-order drug that kills unborn children, also threatens the life of the mother and can cause severe adverse reactions ranging from sepsis to hemorrhages," said Cornyn in a statement. "Grounded in both science and Scripture, directing the FDA to withdraw approval of harmful chemical abortion drugs is essential to protect the lives of our most vulnerable and ensure the strongest possible safety standards for women."
Cornyn reiterated his support for the legislation on social media, emphasizing the potential health risks associated with the drug.
"Grounded in both science & Scripture, directing the FDA to withdraw approval of harmful chemical abortion drugs is essential to protect the lives of our most vulnerable & ensure the strongest possible safety standards for women," wrote Cornyn.
Proud to cosponsor Sen. @HawleyMO’s bill to ban the chemical abortion drug mifepristone & empower women harmed by it to sue its manufacturers.
The data is clear that mifepristone, a mail-order drug that kills unborn children, can also threaten the life of the mother.
Grounded… https://t.co/Eb4mvkdt9P
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) March 13, 2026
The legislation has received backing from several national pro-life organizations, including:
- Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
- Family Research Council
- Alliance Defending Freedom
- Concerned Women for America
- Live Action
- Students for Life of America
- Ethics and Public Policy Center
- The American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
If passed, the measure would mark one of the most sweeping federal attempts to restrict chemical abortion nationwide, and is likely to spark debate in Congress.
