PROBLEM: 

On June 24, the U.S. House voted to ban the use of RU-486 and other new drugs used to induce abortion.  The amendment bars the Food and Drug Administration from using funds for the testing, development and approval (including approval of production, manufacturing, or distribution) of any drug for the chemical inducement of abortion, including mifepristone (the drug commonly known as RU-486).

RU-486 is an effective and nonsurgical method of inducing early abortion that has been in use since 1981.  The drug was approved for use in France, Germany, Great Britain, and Sweden following extensive clinical trials that demonstrated its safety and effectiveness.  The U.S. has also conducted successful trials under the FDA's scrutiny, but no manufacturer has agreed to make the drug for the general public.  In 1996, NOW Foundation testified before an FDA panel on the urgency of approving this drug for general use.

Opponents of the amendment questioned whether Congress had the authority to approve or disapprove a particular drug.  In the past, such a decision has been left for the FDA to make based on the scientific evidence available.  Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) accused Representative Tom Coburn (R-OK) of injecting politics into the scientific authority of the FDA: "I am a mother of three and a grandmother of two -- and I am sick and tired of debating abortion on the floor of this House," she said.  "Restriction after restriction.  Ban after ban.  Amendment after amendment.  Enough."

Rep. Coburn sponsored this ban as an amendment to the FY 99 Agriculture spending bill and it passed by a vote of 223-202.  Rep. Coburn is looking for a member of the Senate to offer a similar amendment to the Senate's FY 99 Agriculture Appropriations bill.  The bill will likely be considered sometime in July.

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Call or meet with your Senators and express strong opposition to a Coburn-like amendment -- barring FDA funds for approval, testing, and manufacturing of medical abortion -- to the Senate FY 99 Agriculture spending bill.  The Senate is in recess until July 6 and many members will be in their home states.

The main number for Congress is (202) 224-3121, the operator will connect you with your U.S. Senator's Washington, D.C. office or check with directory assistance in your area for the Senators' state offices.  Connect to http://www.visi.com/juan/congress for fax, phone, and e-mail address information for all members of Congress.