Arizona Democratic Reaction to the Texas Judge Ruling Against Reproductive Freedom

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It is no surprise that the Democrats, on the national and state level, strongly condemned Trump appointee and right to life zealot Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ruling to ban the use of the abortion pill Mifepristone.

This Good Friday ruling, while no surprise given the track record of the judge who presided over the case, is still amazing given this drug has been in F.D.A.-permitted use for 22 years, has a better safety record than Viagra, and, if allowed to go into effect after the expected appeals process all the way to the United States Supreme Court, would deny reproductive freedom to all women across the country.

So much for state’s rights.

It would be curious if these same science-denying lawyers along with Judge Kacsmaryk would go along with banning Viagra given its greater risk of harm to its male consumers.

Do not bet on it.

Arizona Democrats pounced on the Good Friday ruling.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who joined the lawsuit to allow the use of Mifepristone, which a Washington Jurist is allowing in the Grand Canyon state, and the other 16 petitioners, issued a statement that read:

“Despite Friday evening’s troubling and unfounded ruling by Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas which seeks to undo the FDA’s approval of mifepristone 23 years ago, I want to assure Arizonans that legal access to the drug remains available for providers and patients in this state. This is due to an order issued by Judge Thomas O. Rice in Washington late Friday in a separate case that applies specifically to Arizona, 16 other states and the District of Columbia in a multi-state coalition of plaintiffs. I joined this challenge to protect Arizonans’ access to mifepristone, which has a long record of safe and effective use by millions of Americans over the last 23 years.

In contrast, Judge Kacsmaryk’s decision flouts two decades of science and consensus in the medical community, and it will cause needless pain and suffering for patients. By dismissing pregnancy as merely a “normal” and “natural” process and minimizing its potential health risks, Judge Kacsmaryk insults patients and families nationwide. The decision also runs contrary to established legal principles. If upheld on appeal, it would mark the first time a court ordered the FDA to reverse its approval of a drug, endangering not only reproductive rights but also Americans’ ability to obtain crucial FDA-approved medications.

To oppose Judge Kacsmaryk’s ruling, my office and our multi-state partners will soon file an amicus brief in the Texas case – and our recently established Reproductive Rights Unit will lead this work for my office. I remain firmly committed to fighting for every Arizonan’s right to make personal medical decisions in consultation with their doctor, family, and faith.”

Arizona Democratic Party Chair Yolanda Bejarano wrote in her statement:

“Americans and Arizonans have made their voices heard loud and clear when it comes to protecting our reproductive freedoms and the critical relationships between providers and patients. But yet again, the Republican Party is inserting politics between patients and doctors. This ruling represents another step in the GOP’s ultimate goal at both the state and national levels—eliminating access to abortion for all women in every state. But Democrats will not stand for it. I am grateful that under the Biden Administration, the Department of Justice has already announced that they will be appealing the court’s decision and that Mifepristone continues to be available and approved for the time being. In Arizona, Democrats will continue to fight in lockstep to defend reproductive freedom, and ensure patients across the state have access to the care they need.”

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero posted on social media:

Arizona Senate and House Democrats also made united social media posts:

With this latest ruling, Republicans are continuing their march off the cliff called extreme reactionism.

In 2024, people in Arizona and across the country will have to decide. Do we want a society based on Democracy or one based on The Handmaids Tale?

This should not be a tough call.