Just days after a court ruling left the future of a widely-used abortion pill uncertain, a New York lawmaker is looking to protect access to it.

On Monday, Rep. Pat Ryan formally re-introduced legislation to both reaffirm the FDA’s authority to regulate abortion medication like mifepristone and ensure patients across the country have the ability to get a prescription for it through telehealth.

What You Need To Know

  • On Monday, Rep. Pat Ryan formally re-introduced legislation to reaffirm the FDA’s authority to regulation abortion medication like mifepristone

  • Last week, a federal judge’s ruling out of Texas suspended the FDA’s two-decade old approval of mifepristone, a widely used abortion drug

  • This is not a new fight for Ryan, who made abortion rights central to his successful bid for Congress in last year’s special election

  • In statements, Republicans in two of New York's frontline districts also raised concerns about the judge's mifepristone ruling

The bill takes aim at a federal judge’s ruling out of Texas suspending the FDA’s two-decade old approval of mifepristone.

“This Texas ruling is another attempt at a nationwide abortion ban,” Ryan said in an interview.

This is not a new fight for Ryan, who made abortion rights central to his successful bid for Congress in last year’s special election in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Ryan, who represents New York's 18th congressional district, expects the issue to remain potent for voters.

“As long as they're trying to rip our rights away, we just have to escalate our effort to protect them,” Ryan said.

In light of the recent court action, Ryan indicated he will be keeping an eye on his Republican colleagues in New York’s swing districts, arguing this is a real opportunity for them to show where they stand.

“Are you for freedom or not? And I think people are certainly watching and I hope that we see folks of both parties step up to the moment,” Ryan said.

Spectrum News NY1 reached out to the Republicans in New York’s frontline districts that helped the GOP win control of the U.S. House in November, asking them about the judge’s ruling and Ryan’s legislation.

Two of those Republicans responded by the publication deadline. Both raised concerns about the judge's decision.

In a statement, Nassau County Rep. Anthony D’Esposito said he is “deeply concerned” by the “judge’s recent decision to block access to an FDA approved medication key to safeguarding women’s health.”

D’Esposito says he is reviewing ways Congress can “best ensure women’s care is not interrupted by this ruling.”

Rep. Marc Molinaro called the ruling a “dangerous precedent” for a federal district court.

“I supported expanding access to this medication as a member of the State Assembly and support access now,” Molinaro said.

President Joe Biden and his administration have appealed the court's decision.