WASHINGTON — In response to a federal judge for the Northern District of Texas ruling to move to block access to mifepristone, one of the two medications typically used in medication abortion care, 19 members of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association released the following statement:
“Friday’s ruling by the Trump-appointed Judge Matthew Kacsmarykis is an appalling and indefensible abuse of power which seeks to further restrict abortion access in our country, even in states where access to abortion is codified into law. This decision is not rooted in any form of judicial precedent, but is meant to be a ban that could rob nearly 65 million Americans of this safe, effective abortion care option.
“Mifepristone has been safely used for over two decades, and leading medical organizations have deemed it safe and effective. The decision to have an abortion should be made between a woman and her doctor, not a far-right activist judge seeking to advance an extreme partisan agenda.
“Democratic Lt. Governors have been leaders in our states in the fight to protect access to safe and legal abortion care. We condemn this decision in the strongest possible terms, and will continue to work tirelessly to protect bodily autonomy, and access to reproductive care.”
Signatories:
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes
California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis
Colorado Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera
Connecticut Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz
Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long
Guam Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio
Hawaiʻi Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke
Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton
Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller
Massachusetts Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll
Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist
Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
New Mexico Lt. Governor Howie Morales
Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan
Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Austin Davis
Rhode Island Lt. Governor Sabina Matos
Vermont Lt. Governor David Zuckerman
Washington Lt. Governor Denny Heck
Wisconsin Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez
