Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Ruling Revoking Abortion Pill Authorization

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito blocked a ruling from a lower federal court limiting access to mifepristone, a key abortion drug, until the court can officially rule on the case.

Details: Earlier this week, a federal judge in Texas moved to temporarily stay the FDA’s approval of mifepristone. Hours later, a federal judge in Washington ordered the agency to preserve access to the drug in 17 states and Washington, D.C. The contradictory decisions led to speculation and confusion on the continued availability of the drug, which was first approved in 2000. On Thursday, an appeals court preserved access to the drug with certain restrictions. The case is now at the Supreme Court, the latest legal battle to spawn from last summer’s overturning of Roe V. Wade.

What’s Next? The temporary order ends midnight Wednesday, leading the Wall Street Journal to suggest an official ruling from the Supreme Court will be issued before then. Justice Alito asked the plaintiffs in the original Texas case to submit materials to the court before noon Tuesday.

How The Media Covered It: The National Review’s coverage focused more on the initial ruling from the Texas federal judge pulling approval for the drug and described the effect of mifepristone by stating it “kills the unborn baby by depriving it of nutrients.” CNN’s coverage focused more on the argument against the ruling and the appeal, including quotes from drug manufacturers on the potential impact of a ban on the medication.