The first-in-the-nation bill now heads to Gov. Landry who is expected to sign it
WASHINGTON — The full Louisiana legislature has now passed a first-in-the-nation bill that would classify abortion pills as controlled dangerous substances, similar to some narcotics. The bill garnered national attention for its ability to criminalize those possessing abortion medication without a prescription with up to five years in prison. Under the state’s total abortion ban, the FDA-approved mifepristone and misoprostol are already criminalized.
Now that this bill is poised to become law, the criminalization of the simple possession of these drugs will further isolate pregnant women seeking abortion care by threatening those who help them with prison time. This bill could undermine health care in a myriad of ways, making access to these drugs for purposes other than abortion more difficult.
Weeks before the Supreme Court’s imminent ruling on mifepristone access, Republicans in state legislatures across the country are miles ahead of the justices who have been hostile to reproductive freedoms. Fourteen states have already banned medication abortion, and the GOP’s anti-abortion commitment is reaching new extremes in state legislatures every day. Electing Democratic majorities to legislatures is the only path to ensure protections for reproductive freedom.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee National Press Secretary Sam Paisley issued the following statement:
“Mifepristone and misoprostol are safe no matter what Louisiana Republicans say. GOP legislators are manufacturing danger and ignoring trusted science in the name of anti-abortion extremism– there’s no telling what they’ll go after next.
“Louisiana Republicans have now set a dangerous precedent– GOP leaders across the country will now feel encouraged to criminalize safe and common medications and scheme new ways to threaten reproductive health care. The DLCC stands with health care providers, women, and people across the country who want Democrats in leadership who will fiercely protect the whole spectrum of reproductive health care. Building Democratic power in state legislatures is the key to protecting reproductive rights, and state legislative elections this year will allow voters to shape the future of their freedoms.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
