During an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, U.S. Representative Tony Gonzalez (R-TX) deflected questions about a federal court decision to revoke a more than 20-year-old approval for a commonly used abortion drug by suggesting that women “should get off the abortion conversation” and “talk about the other things that are happening in this world.”
Gonzalez’s remarks came after being asked to comment on a ruling from a Donald Trump-appointed judge in his home state to revoke the US Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone, a widely used drug for medication abortions and miscarriage treatment.
Gonzalez said he supports “states’ rights,” but he stumbled when asked how that accounts for a federal court ruling that will have a dramatic impact to abortion access across the country if it goes into effect.
“Isn’t a federal judge saying on a national level that a pill cannot be administered the opposite of states’ rights?” CNN’s Dana Bash asked him.
Gonzalez, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, replied by suggesting that members of Congress could “defund FDA programs that don’t make sense” if President Joe Biden’s administration challenges the ruling.
“So, are women just on their own if this ruling is upheld?” Bash asked.
“No, I think it’s important that we take care of women. It’s important that we have real discussions on women’s healthcare and get off the abortion … conversation,” Gonzalez said. “Women have a whole lot more other issues than just abortion.”
“Let’s have those real conversations,” he added. “And let’s talk about the other things that are happening in this world.”
US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, from Texas, ruled that the FDA’s initial authorization approval of mifepristone more than 20 years ago was improper and has suspended its approval, which will take effect in seven days from the date of his ruling unless a higher court intervenes.
The US Department of Justice is appealing the decision.
Watch Gonzalez’s interview below from CNN.
Rep. Tony Gonzales: "Women have a whole lot more other issues than just abortion. Let's have those real conversations. And let's talk about the other things that are happening in this world." pic.twitter.com/gl6hlIjhGg
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 9, 2023
