Milwaukee City Wire

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and 49 other Republican senators in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary. The letter commends the agencies for their recent statements on data discrepancies related to abortion pill safety and their commitment to reviewing scientific evidence.

The senators expressed concern over the FDA’s approval of a generic version of mifepristone, a drug commonly used for chemical abortions. They referenced HHS’s announcement to review prior Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) following studies that raised questions about the drug’s safety.

In the letter, the senators stated: “We commend your recent statements acknowledging the data discrepancies surrounding abortion pill safety and your commitment to reviewing the science. We are also encouraged by HHS’s recent announcement that it will review prior Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) approvals given the recent studies raising concerns about the drug’s safety. Given this commitment, however, we are deeply concerned about the FDA’s approval of a new generic version of mifepristone. While we recognize the FDA’s statutory responsibility in evaluating drug applications, the timing of this approval appears inconsistent with the comprehensive safety reassessment your agencies have prioritized. Out of respect for this important review, and with full confidence in your dedication to protecting women’s health, states’ rights, and unborn life, we urge you to take decisive action to reevaluate whether this generic version of mifepristone is suitable to enter the market.”

Senators joining Johnson and Graham include Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Curtis (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), David McCormick (R-Pa.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt(R-Mo.), Rick Scott(R-Fla.), Tim Scott(R-S.C.), Tim Sheehy(R-Mont.), Dan Sullivan(R-Alaska), John Thune(R-S.D), Thom Tillis(R-N.C), Tommy Tuberville(R-Ala,), Roger Wicker(R-Miss.) and Todd Young(R-Ind.).

Ron Johnson has represented Wisconsin in the Senate since 2010, winning elections against Russ Feingold in both 2010 and 2016, as well as defeating Mandela Barnes in 2022.

The full text of the letter is available online.