Trump's FDA Pick Refuses to Affirm IUDs Don't Cause Abortions
Dr. Heidi Overton dodged direct questions on birth control at Senate confirmation hearing, drawing alarm from Democrats.
What to know
- Overton declined to state that IUDs don't cause abortion, saying only that she would review FDA decisions if confirmed—a position that alarmed Democrats seeking reassurance on reproductive health policy.
- She gave evasive answers on mifepristone safety, using past tense when describing its approval and referencing an ongoing FDA review, conflicting with her 2023 claim that it is 'dangerous to women.'
- Her refusal to give straight answers mirrors Trump's DOJ refusal to confirm that certain birth control doesn't cause abortions in an active court case, signaling potential rollbacks to reproductive healthcare access.
Overton's non-answers are deeply alarming and signal intent to restrict access to abortion pills and contraception.
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“Trump's pick to run the FDA couldn't answer a yes or no question about IUDs today. Patty Murray asked twice. Heidi Overton punted both times.”
@lesleyabravanel · X ↗
Dr. Heidi Overton Trump's FDA nomineeSenator Patty Murray Washington Democrat, HELP committee memberSenator Maggie Hassan New Hampshire Democrat, HELP committee member
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Democratic senators express alarm at Overton's birth control positions
Senator Patty Murray called Overton's positions on mifepristone "alarming" because they conflict with scientific evidence showing the drug is safe and effective. Senator Maggie Hassan called for Overton to recuse herself from mifepristone matters.
“I hear you changing your answer now, saying you don't think [mifepristone] is safe.”
— Senator Patty Murray -
Trump’s pick to run the FDA couldn’t answer a yes or no question about IUDs today. Patty Murray asked twice. Heidi Overton punted both times. This is the person who’d oversee mifepristone access for 340 million Americans and she won’t say IUDs aren’t abortion.
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lol I feel for you guys. I really do. I know there’s a lot of American - Canadian hate or tensions going on but I work in sales and it makes me laugh how often Americans have to tell me how much they love Canadians. Meanwhile IM THE ONE selling something. I’m like, I get it babe and it’s appreciated. The online discourse coming back from Canadians…
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background
Overton gives evasive answers on mifepristone safety during hearing — Murray pressed Overton on her 2023 claim that mifepristone is "dangerous to women" and whether she agrees with the FDA's approval of it. Overton repeatedly referred to the drug having "met the safety and efficacy standard" in past tense, prompting Murray to accuse her of changing her answer to suggest mifepristone is not safe.
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background
Overton refuses to confirm IUDs don't cause abortion at Senate hearing — At her confirmation hearing before the Senate HELP committee, Trump's FDA nominee Dr. Heidi Overton declined to answer Senator Patty Murray's direct question about whether IUDs are abortifacients. Overton stated instead that if confirmed, she would "make determinations according to the standards of safety and efficacy."