Representative. Rep. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) dodged a question about whether a key abortion drug should remain available for miscarriages and instead encouraged “real conversations” about other topics.
“Women have many other problems besides abortion. Let’s have those real conversations and talk about the other things that are going on in this world,” Gonzales, who described himself as “a prolific pro-lifer,” said Sunday in an interview with CNN’s State of the Union.
Last week, a federal judge in Texas suspended the Food and Drug Administration’s longstanding approval of the abortion pill mifepristone, which is also used to help people who experience early termination of pregnancy due to miscarriages.
Host Dana Bash pointed out the pill’s crucial role in treating women experiencing miscarriages and asked Gonzales what would have happened to them without access to mifepristone.
“Am I alone if this sentence is upheld?” she asked.
“No, I think it’s important to take care of women, it’s important to have real discussions about women’s health care,” she replied before focusing on her concerns about the US-Mexico border. “Stop abortion, stop, you know, the abortion conversation.”
“I have a district that has been turned upside down because of this border crisis,” he added. “There are ordinary people who are affected by this.”
“Well, both may be true; ordinary people can be affected by all these problems that Americans face,” Bash replied.
Gonzales also said Congress could “defeat” the FDA if the Biden administration ignores the Texas judge’s decision blocking access to the pill.
“House Republicans have the power of the purse. And if the administration wants to disobey that ruling, then we’re going to have a problem,” he said. “It may come to a point where House appropriations Republicans have to roll back FDA programs that don’t make sense.”
The Texas ban came the same day a federal judge in Washington state ruled against blocking mifepristone from the market in 17 states and the District of Columbia. That judge ruled that the drug was safe and effective.
I’m a passionate and motivated journalist with a focus on world news. My experience spans across various media outlets, including Buna Times where I serve as an author. Over the years, I have become well-versed in researching and reporting on global topics, ranging from international politics to current events.