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Texas lawsuit could nationally ban abortifacient BRYN HEALY ’24 AND TARA MONASTESSE ’25 NEWS EDITORS
An ongoing lawsuit in Texas could potentially restrict nationwide access to the abortifacient drug mifepristone. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), an Arizona conservative Christian legal group, sued the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Amarillo, Texas, in an attempt to undo the agency’s approval of the abortion drug mifepristone, according to the Texas Tribune. The ADF, which defines itself as “the world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, parental rights and God’s design fowr marriage and family” per its website, was also a key player in overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022. The ADF is bringing the case to court on behalf of four doctors and four anti-choice organizations, according to the Texas Tribune. The judge hearing the case is conservative Trump-appointee U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk. Senator Dianne Feinstein, according to Ms. Magazine, described Kacsmaryk as “an anti-LGBT activist and culture warrior who does not respect the equal dignity of all people.” The Ms. article asserts that the ADF purposely chose to file suit in Amarillo in order to have Kacsmaryk rule on the case. If Judge Kacsmaryk or a higher court, in this case, the conservative Fifth Court of Appeals, rules against the drug, it could be banned in all 50 states. The drug in question, mifepristone, was first approved by the FDA in 2000. It is used alongside misoprostol to terminate a pregnancy, according to the National Library of Medicine. It is also used for treating Cushing’s syndrome and uterine leiomyomas. Mifepristone works by blocking the pregnancy hormone progesterone and also stopping the inner uter-
ine lining from preparing for ovum implantation. Additionally, the drug induces menstrual bleeding and further endometrial thickening to end a pregnancy. “If the judge rules the FDA should ban mifepristone we are having the courts supersede what a science-based agency has decided,” Associate Professor of Politics Cora Fernandez Anderson stated. “For abortion, it will obviously pose challenges, but not insurmountable. One thing that not many people are talking about in the U.S. is that even if mifepristone is banned, misoprostol alone has a high rate of success, around [85 to 89 percent]. This is how most safe but illegal abortions happen in those countries with current bans since mifepristone is not available, and there are studies that show it’s completely safe. The WHO recommends both misoprostol alone or its combination with mifepristone for a safe self-managed abortion. So obviously we do not want mifepristone banned, but it is good to look to countries in which self-managed abortion has been happening with misoprostol alone for a while and know that this is safe and it will still be an option.” “The side effects of misoprostol, especially at a higher dosage, are kind of intense,” Carrie N. Baker, Sylvia Dlugasch Bauman professor of American studies at Smith College and professor of the study of women and gender, said in an interview with Mount Holyoke News. “That said, people who get pregnant use it all around the world in countries where abortion is illegal, and as long as they are well-supported, it’s very effective, and it works. Obviously, people should have access to the best medication, but we’re in a situation here where anti-abortion people are trying to ban pills. It’s important that people know about misoprostol … it’s a widely available drug, and it’s much cheaper [than mifepristone]. It’s a good alternative in a situation where mifepristone is not available.”
Professor Baker described Massachusetts’s current access to abortion medication as “widespread,” noting that the online directory provided by Plan C, a public health campaign, is a useful resource for obtaining information regarding the availability of abortion access by state. A regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol now comprises over 50 percent of abortions in the U.S., per the Texas Tribune. “Mifepristone is also used for incomplete miscarriages” according to Fernandez Anderson. The other uses of the drug are being elevated by advocates and legislators because “if there are other uses this would make the ban harder.” An amicus brief was filed on Feb. 10 by the attorney generals of 22 states, including Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, in opposition to the demands requested by the ADF in the mifepristone lawsuit. “Each of the amici [s]tates has an important interest in protecting the health, safety and rights of its residents, including an interest in ensuring safe access to essential reproductive health care. The continued availability of mifepristone for medication abortions is critical to safeguarding that interest,” the document’s introduction reads. Fernandez Anderson said it’s hard to know if this will have any impact on the ruling. A press release by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, part of the coalition that filed the brief, writes that “[t]he availability of mifepristone has been particularly critical in providing access to abortion and miscarriage management in low-income, underserved and rural communities. The coalition also asserts that revoking the FDA approval of mifepristone would force millions to seek more invasive and expensive procedural abortions, which would disproportionately harm those who already lack access to health care.”
Photo courtesy of Jonathon Cutrer via Flickr An Arizona legal group has sued a Texas agency for its approval of the abortion drug mifepristone.
“The Texas Attorney General’s efforts will please more than just anti-abortion advocates,” Assistant Professor of Politics Joanna Wuest explains. “Like many other lawsuits filed by conservative attorneys general, the larger aim is to limit the federal bureaucracy from regulating everything from healthcare to air pollution to finance. This specific case deals with the FDA’s ability to ensure access to safe and necessary medications, but the underlying legal arguments benefit Paxton’s donors in the oil industry who seek to similarly limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) power
over fossil fuel production. Last year, the Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v. EPA (2022) — which severely hampered the agency’s ability to clamp down on coal emissions — demonstrated how willing the conservative justices are to help Paxton and others realize this anti-regulatory goal.” Additional time has been allotted to the plaintiffs to allow them to respond to a brief filed by the drug’s manufacturer, according to NPR. When the deadline expires on Feb. 24, Judge Kacsmaryk is expected to either make a decision in the case or schedule a hearing.
Joe Biden addresses the country in his second SOTU BY NINA SYDORYK ’25 STAFF WRITER
On Feb.7., at 7 p.m., President Joe Biden went before the United States House of Representatives to deliver the annual State of the Union address. A tradition that dates back to the first American president, George Washington, the State of the Union is given by the President of the United States about the current condition of the nation. The speech usually outlines the accomplishments of their administration, the challenges they face and their hopes for the future. The 2023 SOTU comes halfway through Biden’s first term in the White House, with the 2024 election rapidly approaching. With a term that began in the midst of a global pandemic that brought a severe economic downturn that affected millions, the Biden administration built a campaign around COVID-19 resolutions and a plan for economic recovery. This in
Photo courtesy of David Maiolo via Wikimedia Commons President Biden discussed economic recovery, abortion access and the Equality Act during SOTU.
large part was due to the American Rescue Plan, a 1.9 trillion dollar relief bill that included mounting a national vaccination program, containing COVID-19, and safely reopening
schools. 1,400 dollar stimulus checks, as well as an increase in testing and support for small businesses and affected communities, were all part of this detailed plan that was passed by
Congress on March 11, 2021. Mounting tensions rising in the country regarding social and human rights issues have proved a challenge for the Biden presidency, as well as the Democratic party as a whole. Concerns about racism, police brutality, legislation affecting LGBTQ+ people and the recent overturn of Roe V. Wade, have escalated as the Biden administration’s hopes about bipartisanship have fallen in the face of an ever-growing chasm of disagreement. On the day of the SOTU, Biden’s official Twitter account posted,“Make no mistake; if Congress passes a national abortion ban, I will veto it,” a quote from the speech. Further, during the speech, the President said, “Let’s also pass the bipartisan Equality Act to ensure LGBTQ Americans, especially transgender young people, can live with safety and dignity.” The recent 2022 midterm elections resulted in the Republican Party (GOP) holding majority control of
the House and the Democrats retaining control of the Senate. This party division seems to be a greater one than ever before. With his party’s candidacy for 2024 still unclear, the President spoke optimistically for almost 80 minutes. Despite the positive tone, the reality of American politics was clear, as hecklers and other disturbances from the crowd interrupted Biden on numerous occasions throughout the night. Partly in response to the debate on Social Security, which persists despite the GOP being adamant that they will not push for the cut of benefits, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene yelled out ‘liar’ upon the President’s mention of the topic. In an interview with Mount Holyoke News, Evelyn Fleming ’26 stated that, in her opinion, the presence of these disturbances was “one CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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SGA discusses recurring dining concerns and upcoming organization events BY PAIGE COMEAU ’26 STAFF WRITER
The Student Government Association Senate opened its Feb. 14 meeting by wishing everyone a happy Valentine’s Day and asking the members to show themselves a little love in celebration. Following this, the Mount Holyoke College land acknowledgment was read, and it was stated that there would be no E-Board updates before open floor began. During open floor, senators and representatives were asked to give their names, pronouns and representative organizations, before sharing their announcements and updates. First, the representative for the Health and Safety Committee publicized an upcoming Webi-
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nar. They stated that a form will be sent via email soon for students to ask any remaining questions about COVID-19. Another representative, for the Mount Holyoke German Club, stated that next Friday, Feb. 24, they will be hosting a Karneval fundraiser in the Cassani Room, 102 Shattuck Hall, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. To conclude, the Pearsons Annex senator, representing the Kuch Karo: Pakistani Students for Change, stated that they would be fundraising on Friday, Feb. 17, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Blanchard Hall. The funds raised from this event will be donated to the Muskurahat Trust. Next, the questions and concerns portion of open floor commenced, where the senator for the class of 2024 mentioned concerns about the quality of the dining hall
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food. This is the second time that this issue has been brought up at the senate in the last two weeks. The senator stated that they had a friend who had found cardboard in their kale, and that, overall, they were concerned about the food standards. Senate leaders said they would, again, look into such concerns. They also stated that they were possibly looking into having Dining Services staff at an upcoming SGA Senate Town Hall. Senate concluded with commission work, where the eight commissions were asked to continue work on their petitions. The senators who had finished their petitions were allowed to leave, with senate leaders thanking everyone for their time and wishing everyone in attendance a lovely Valentine’s Day.
Photo by Ella Shelton ’26 Serynn Nowlin ’25 speaks during last week’s Student Government Association senate meeting.
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