WASHINGTON — National Right to Life today expressed strong support for the oversight letters issued by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee examining the business practices of manufacturers and distributors of the chemical abortion drug mifepristone, as well as the failure to enforce federal law against illegal online sales.

“These letters raise serious and long-overdue questions about whether federal protocols are being followed—and whether women are being put at risk as a result,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “The American people deserve transparency, accountability, and above all, protection from dangerous and unlawful practices.”

The Senate letters highlight concerns that manufacturers of mifepristone may not be adequately ensuring compliance with the Food and Drug Administration’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), which is intended to mitigate the risk of serious complications associated with the drug. These safeguards include requirements that prescribers be properly certified, that patients be informed of risks, and that appropriate medical care be available in the event of complications.

However, evidence cited in the letters suggests that online distribution of chemical abortion drugs is undermining these protections. Some online providers appear to prescribe the drugs based on minimal screening, raising concerns about whether they can accurately assess gestational age, diagnose ectopic pregnancies, or ensure access to emergency care.

The letters also document the widespread availability of unapproved and misbranded chemical abortion drugs sold through online retailers in violation of federal law. These drugs may be manufactured overseas, lack proper labeling, and be distributed without any medical oversight—posing significant risks to women’s health.

“Federal law is clear: unapproved and misbranded drugs cannot be sold in the United States,” Tobias said. “Yet these illegal online operations continue to flourish, often encouraging women to conceal critical medical information if complications arise. That is a direct threat to patient safety.”

The letters also raise concerns about the erosion of safeguards in recent years, including the removal of in-person dispensing requirements and the elimination of reporting requirements for non-fatal adverse events. These changes have made it more difficult to fully assess the risks associated with chemical abortion and ensure that women receive appropriate care.

Additionally, the letters raise troubling questions about the lack of transparency among certain manufacturers, including limited public information about corporate leadership, manufacturing locations, and distribution practices.

“Women deserve real medical care, not drugs dispensed through anonymous websites with little to no oversight,” Tobias said. “We commend the Senate HELP Committee for taking these concerns seriously and look forward to meaningful action that prioritizes women’s health and safety.”

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON — National Right to Life commends the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for launching investigations into thirteen states for potential violations of the Weldon Amendment, a longstanding federal law that protects the conscience rights of health care providers and entities.

“Americans should never be forced to choose between their deeply held moral or religious convictions and their ability to participate in the health care system,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “We commend HHS for enforcing federal conscience protections and ensuring that states do not trample on these fundamental rights.”

The Weldon Amendment prohibits federal, state, and local governments from discriminating against health care entities that decline to participate in, pay for, or provide coverage of abortion. OCR’s action follows reports that certain states may be coercing health plans and issuers to cover abortion in violation of these protections.

“Coercing individuals or organizations to facilitate abortion against their beliefs is not only unjust—it is unlawful under federal statute,” Tobias added. “These investigations send a clear message that conscience rights are not optional and must be respected.” 

Earlier this year, OCR clarified that the Weldon Amendment applies broadly to include not only health care providers, but also insurers, employers, and plan sponsors. This clarification corrects a prior, narrower interpretation and reaffirms that conscience protections extend across the health care landscape. 

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON — A new national survey released by the Pew Research Center underscores that Americans remain deeply divided on abortion and far from united behind the abortion industry’s push for unlimited abortion.  

“Despite efforts to portray abortion as a settled issue, Americans remain deeply conflicted about abortion and continue to recognize the humanity of the unborn child,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Only a small minority of Americans support abortion without limits. Millions believe that unborn children deserve legal protection.”

The survey’s toplines found that 39% of Americans say the statement “Human life begins at conception, so an embryo is a person with rights” describes their views extremely or very well.

The survey’s toplines also reveal that only 23% of Americans say abortion should be legal in all cases, while 38% say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases—demonstrating that strong support remains for meaningful legal protections for unborn children.

The poll also highlights significant public concern about chemical abortion. Pew found that more than one-quarter of Americans say abortion pills should be illegal in their state, while nearly one in five remain unsure. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning voters, opposition to chemical abortion is even stronger.  

“Abortion advocates want to claim the public supports sweeping abortion access, including dangerous mail-order abortion pills,” Tobias said. “But the reality is that Americans remain cautious and divided, particularly when it comes to expanding chemical abortion.”

Tobias said the results show that the national conversation on abortion is far from over.  

“Many Americans recognize the humanity of the unborn child and feel compassion for women facing difficult pregnancies,” Tobias said. “That moral awareness is exactly why the pro-life work of protecting unborn children and supporting their mothers continues to resonate with millions of Americans.”

The findings reinforce the importance of continued public education on the development of the preborn baby, the risks associated with chemical abortion, and policies that protect both mother and child.  

“The American people understand that abortion is not a simple political issue—it is the moral issue of our day involving the right to life of the most vulnerable members of the human family,” Tobias said. “As more Americans learn the truth about preborn children and the realities of abortion, support for protecting innocent human life will continue to grow.”

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON — Parents in Puerto Rico who experience the loss of a baby before 20 weeks of gestation will now have the option to claim and arrange for the dignified disposition of their child’s remains under a new law signed by Governor Jenniffer González-Colón.

“National Right to Life applauds Governor Jenniffer González-Colón for signing this compassionate and respectful legislation,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Losing a baby can be a deeply painful experience for parents. This law recognizes that grief and ensures that families who wish to honor their child through a dignified burial or other respectful disposition have the ability to do so.”

Law 42-2026 establishes a clear protocol allowing parents, with medical authorization and upon request, to claim fetal remains resulting from pregnancy loss prior to 20 weeks of gestation. The law recognizes the emotional impact of losing a baby and ensures that parents have the option to provide respectful treatment and disposition for their child.

The measure amends Puerto Rico’s Regulated Biomedical Waste Management Act to clarify that fetal remains from pregnancy losses occurring before 20 weeks—regardless of weight—will not be treated as regulated biomedical waste when a parent formally requests their release under procedures established by the Puerto Rico Department of Health.

Senate Bill 756, which created the new law, was authored by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz and Senator Joanne Rodríguez Veve, with several senators serving as co-sponsors.

“By affirming the dignity of every human life and respecting the needs of grieving parents, Puerto Rico has taken an important step toward compassionate public policy,” Tobias said.

Similar laws exist in other jurisdictions across the United States, allowing parents the choice to claim and arrange dignified disposition of their baby’s remains following pregnancy loss.

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.

WASHINGTON — A new Wyoming law protecting an unborn child once her heart begins to beat has been signed by Gov. Mark Gordon, making the state the fifth in the nation to enact such protections.

The measure prohibits most abortions after a heartbeat can be detected, which occurs approximately 18-22 days after fertilization. The law includes an exception when necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother in cases of imminent medical danger. 

“We thank Governor Gordon for signing this vital law,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Wyoming’s action reflects an ongoing national conversation about how our laws should recognize the humanity of the unborn child while ensuring that her mother receives appropriate care.”

According to state health officials, Wyoming recorded 625 abortions in 2024, the most recent year for which complete data are available.

The enactment comes as abortion policy across the United States continues to evolve following the 2022 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which returned primary authority over abortion policy to the states.

Since that decision, states have taken varied approaches to abortion regulation. Some states have enacted laws protecting unborn children at different stages of pregnancy, while others have pushed for an expansion of unlimited abortion and abortion pills by mail.

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.