A group of 51 Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Senate is calling upon Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as Secretary of Health and Human Services, to take one of the drugs used for chemical abortions off the market. 

Newsmax reports that the senators sent a letter to Kennedy last week.

The effort is being led by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The drug at issue is mifepristone.

BREAKING — 51 Senators Call for Abortion Drug Action from FDA, HHS

Following the FDA approving a new generic abortion drug last week, 51 Senators led by @LindseyGrahamSC sent a letter to the FDA and HHS calling for immediate action.

More 🔽https://t.co/zmffdBjsYZ pic.twitter.com/Gf1HB6hoi5

— SBA Pro-Life America (@sbaprolife) October 9, 2025

The letter:

The letter sent by the senators to Kennedy can be read in its entirety here.

It, in part, states:

We commend your recent statements acknowledging the data discrepancies surrounding abortion pill safety and your commitment to reviewing the science. We are also encouraged by HHS’s recent announcement that it will review prior Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) approvals given the recent studies raising concerns about the drug’s safety. Given this commitment, however, we are deeply concerned about the FDA’s approval of a new generic version of mifepristone. While we recognize the FDA’s statutory responsibility in evaluating drug applications, the timing of this approval appears inconsistent with the comprehensive safety reassessment your agencies have prioritized. Out of respect for this important review, and with full confidence in your dedication to protecting women’s health, states’ rights, and unborn life, we urge you to take decisive action to reevaluate whether this generic version of mifepristone is suitable to enter the market.

The letter was signed by most, but not all, Senate Republicans. Some notable, but not unexpected, absences were Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

The senators, in the letter, added:

Unrestricted access to abortion pills is systematically undermining states’ rights and violating pro-life state laws. Every month, thousands of abortion drugs are shipped into states that have otherwise limited access to abortion after Dobbs, degrading pro-life laws at the state level across the country

"Dobbs" is the case in which the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the infamous pro-abortion case Roe v. Wade.

Background

Newsmax provides the background of this situation.

"Mifepristone was approved by the FDA in 2000. In 2021, the FDA under President Joe Biden permitted online prescribing and mail-order delivery of the drug, greatly expanding access. Abortion opponents have been fighting the change ever since," the outlet reports.

It continues, "Just two days ago, the FDA approved a second generic version of the drug, a move that drew criticism from anti-abortion voices."

It remains unclear what action, if any, the Trump administration will take.

HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon said:

The FDA has very limited discretion in deciding whether to approve a generic drug. By law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must approve an application if it demonstrates that the generic drug is identical to the brand-name drug.