‘Not a priority’: GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy criticizes FDA’s delay on mifepristone study

Sen. Bill Cassidy said Sunday the Trump administration isn’t treating abortion drug safety as a priority.

On CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Mr. Cassidy accused the FDA of dragging its feet on reviewing mifepristone, a pill widely used in abortions.

“It seems as if it’s taken a long time to get that study up and going, which suggests to me that it’s not a priority,” the Louisiana Republican said.” “For the pro-life community, this should be a priority.”

Mr,. Cassidy said the delay and the lack of transparency from the FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has frustrated pro-life lawmakers and advocates alike.

“I am disappointed, as well as others are disappointed, by the way that this is being slow-walked,” he said. “If you want to reassure the American people about something that is really top of mind, this is where they should be going.”

The issue is generating tension between President Trump and pro-life advocates.

After the 2024 election, Mr. Trump told Time magazine he was committed to ensuring the FDA does not block access to abortion pills.

In October, the FDA approved another generic version of mifepristone, angering pro-life groups.

In September, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Makary promised to review safety data.

However, Senate Republicans have grown frustrated with the slow pace and overall lack of transparency.

Dr. Makary has recently refused to provide clarity, citing ongoing litigation.

“We are unable to fully respond to these questions at the present time,” Dr. Makary said Thursday in a response to a letter from lawmakers.

“However, I assure you that the FDA is reviewing the evidence and we will keep you informed as the review progresses,” he said. “This review will help ensure that the FDA’s decisions are grounded in Gold Standard Science and rigorous, transparent, and objective evidence.”

The exchange came after Bloomberg reported that Dr. Makary told agency officials to delay the study until after the midterm elections, a move critics say was meant to shield Republicans from political fallout.

That report sparked outrage.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America called on the Trump administration to fire Makary, accusing the FDA of “doing nothing while every single day abortion drugs take the lives of children, put women and girls at serious risk, empower abusers and trample state pro-life laws.”

Sen. Josh Hawley, Missouri Republican, also weighed in, demanding answers.

In a Dec. 10 letter to Dr. Makary, Mr. Hawley wrote: “It is unclear whether you are conducting an independent safety review at all. This is totally unacceptable. I cannot emphasize enough the danger of playing politics with women’s health.”

On Sunday, Mr. Cassidy said Dr. Makary has assured him the agency is “trying to get the study together.”

But the senator wasn’t satisfied.

“They have been in office long enough so that it could be,” Mr. Cassidy said. “So, I think it is right to be impatient, it is right to demand more.”