The court blocked in full a decision by Texas-based U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk on April 7 that invalidated the Food and Drug Administration’s longtime approval of mifepristone, handing a sweeping victory to abortion opponents.
The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, issued a temporary stay of Kacsmaryk's ruling April 14, which was extended for two days Wednesday while the justices considered what steps to take. "Contrary to the impression that may be held by many, that disposition would not express any view on the merits of the question whether the FDA acted lawfully in any of its actions regarding mifepristone," he added.
The abortion pill dispute involves different legal issues about the FDA’s process for approving drugs, but the case raised questions over the court’s pledge last year that it would leave abortion policy to the states and the federal government.
The decision means people can still obtain mifepristone by mail as litigation continues in the lower court.