Josh Hawley on Abortion

Josh Hawley

Role at the time: United States Senator for Missouri, at the first Missouri Prayer Breakfast in the Russell Senate Office Building and in a subsequent official press release

Statement summary

Six months after his bill stalled in committee, Hawley unveiled a four-page "Declaration for Life" drafted by more than 30 pastors, which calls on Congress to ban mifepristone on the grounds that state abortion restrictions cannot stop the drug being mailed across state lines. He said he would ask officeholders and candidates in both parties to sign it as a commitment to end chemical abortion, and renewed his request for a vote on his legislation.

“This Declaration for Life, written by pastors, is calling on everyday Christians across America to stand for life and confront the scourge of chemical abortion.”

Josh Hawley

Role at the time: United States Senator for Missouri, responding to questions from Axios

Statement summary

Asked by Axios about Republican unease that his bill would raise abortion before the midterm elections, Hawley said the measure was not driven by the electoral calendar but by protecting women's health and the unborn. He added that opposition to abortion is "a foundational issue for the Republican Party" and that anti-abortion voters are the party's most dependable.

“This isn't about a political cycle, this is about protecting the health and safety of women, and also protecting the unborn.”

Josh Hawley

Role at the time: U.S. senator from Missouri

Statement summary

Josh Hawley argued that restoring earlier FDA restrictions would be insufficient because later administrations could undo them.

“Congress should ban mifepristone”

Josh Hawley

Role at the time: United States Senator for Missouri, in an official press release announcing his own legislation

Statement summary

Announcing the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act, Senator Josh Hawley said the scientific evidence establishes that mifepristone is inherently dangerous to women and open to abuse. His bill would withdraw the drug's federal approval for pregnancy termination, make its distribution and labeling for that purpose violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and allow women who say chemical abortion harmed them to sue its manufacturers.

“The science is clear: the chemical abortion drug is inherently dangerous to women and prone to abuse.”