Louisiana Republicans want to classify abortion pills as controlled substances.

Republicans in Louisiana are proposing a controversial piece of legislation that would categorize popular abortion pills as “controlled dangerous substances.” This provision is part of a larger abortion bill aimed at criminalizing the unauthorized administration of abortion pills to pregnant women. Specifically, the amendment seeks to add mifeprestone and misoprostol to the state’s list of controlled substances.

If passed, Louisiana would become the first state to implement such a measure, as reported by the Washington Post. Individuals found in possession of these pills without a valid prescription could face fines or even imprisonment under the new law.

The timing of this legislation is crucial, coming amidst an election year where Democrats have made abortion a central issue for voters. Republicans, on the other hand, are grappling with establishing a cohesive stance on abortion following the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade.

Former President Trump has advocated for states to have autonomy in regulating abortion, a departure from the federal oversight mandated by Roe. In contrast, Democrats are advocating for nationwide adherence to Roe’s guidelines through federal legislation, supporting more liberal standards.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. shocked many last week by publicly endorsing abortion, even in cases of full-term pregnancies. In an interview with Sage Steele, Kennedy asserted his support for medical freedom and bodily autonomy, emphasizing the need to entrust such decisions to women rather than the government.

Steele questioned Kennedy about leaving abortion regulations to individual states, to which he asserted that the decision should ultimately rest with women themselves, not state authorities. Despite acknowledging the gravity of late-term abortions, Kennedy reiterated his belief in trusting women to make decisions about their own bodies.

In a heated exchange during the interview, Kennedy clarified his stance, emphasizing the importance of empowering women to make choices regarding their reproductive health without government interference. While acknowledging the complexity and emotional weight of such decisions, Kennedy underscored the need for trust and agency in women’s healthcare choices.