PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakota state government is signing onto an effort with other Republican-led states in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to halt remote distribution of Mifepristone, a chemical drug used for inducing abortions.
The office of South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced on Tuesday.
Nebraska Attorney General Michael Hilgers filed the amicus brief. South Dakota and 21 other states have signed onto the Nebraska brief.
The case is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court and comes after a federal appeals court upheld Louisiana’s challenge to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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The South Dakota Legislature this year banned the dispensing, distribution, sale, or advertisement of chemical abortion drugs.
Both Jackley and a representative of Gov. Larry Rhoden’s office testified in favor of the legislation.
Jackley, earlier this year, went to federal court to stop an abortion-drugs advertising campaign in South Dakota, after receiving a letter from the governor asking the attorney general to investigate.
“South Dakota lawmakers and citizens have said repeatedly they want stronger rules for the distribution of this drug,” Jackley said in announcing his office’s decision to join Nebraska and the other states in the anti-mifepristone brief. “The states, not the federal government, should make their own decisions on this dangerous drug.”
Jackley is one of two Republican candidates seeking their party’s nomination to South Dakota’s U.S. House of Representatives seat. Rhoden is one of four Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for South Dakota governor. The Republican statewide primary election is June 2.
