Democrats are all but banging pots and pans in the streets in protest of a federal judge’s decision on Friday to block the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone, one of two abortion pills that has been used commonly, safely and legally for decades.
President Joe Biden warned that the ruling from U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Texas-based judge nominated by former President Donald Trump, represents the GOP’s “next big step” toward banning abortion outright. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Kacsmaryk just “ on both of their Senate campaigns, and both senators raved about him when he got confirmed in 2019. Cruz even called him his “good friend.”
“I am glad to see the Senate vote today to confirm my good friend, Matt Kacsmaryk, to fill this crucial judicial vacancy for the Northern District of Texas,” Cruz said at the time. “As a passionate constitutionalist, Matt has served Texas well in his various professional and public service roles and proven himself to be a remarkably experienced and deserving candidate for this vacancy.”
“Matthew’s experience as a federal prosecutor and advocate for the First Amendment will serve him well in this role,” Cornyn said at the time. “I’m grateful for my colleagues’ support for his confirmation and thankful to President Trump for his nomination.”
Neither Cruz nor Cornyn provided comment Tuesday about whether they are happy about Kacsmaryk’s abortion pill ruling.
“I’ll be in touch if we have anything for you on this,” said a spokesperson for Cornyn. A spokesperson for Cruz didn’t reply at all.
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Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) possibly knows more about Kacsmaryk’s court case than anyone. His wife, Erin Morrow Hawley, is an attorney at the center of the lawsuit in Kacsmaryk’s courtroom, focused on trying to cancel the FDA’s approval of abortion medication.
Like virtually everyone else in his caucus, Hawley did not respond for a request for comment about Kacsmaryk’s ruling.
Igor Bobic contributed reporting.
