The "Ending Chemical Abortions Act of 2025" prohibits the prescription, dispensing, distribution, or sale of drugs intended to cause an abortion, with exceptions only for contraception, miscarriage treatment, or to save a woman's life.
Andrew Ogles
Representative
TN-5
The "Ending Chemical Abortions Act of 2025" seeks to prohibit chemical abortions by imposing imprisonment and/or fines on anyone who prescribes, dispenses, distributes, or sells drugs to cause an abortion, with exceptions only for contraceptives, miscarriage treatment, or to save a woman's life. This act renames chapter 74 of title 18, United States Code, to "Abortion crimes." It defines key terms such as "abortion," "pregnancy," and "unborn child" and clarifies that women undergoing chemical abortions will not be prosecuted under this section.
Chemical Abortion Ban Proposed: Up to 25 Years in Prison for Providers
The "Ending Chemical Abortions Act of 2025" flat-out bans chemical abortions nationwide. This means anyone prescribing, dispensing, or even just selling the drugs used in medication abortions (typically mifepristone and misoprostol) could face up to 25 years in prison and/or fines. The bill, effective immediately if passed, renames a section of the U.S. Code to "Abortion crimes," signaling a major shift in how these procedures are legally framed.
Reframing Abortion
The core of this bill (Section 4) adds a new section (18 U.S.C. 1532) to existing law, making chemical abortions a federal crime. The bill's language explicitly defines "abortion" as intentionally ending a known pregnancy, except to deliver a live baby, remove a dead unborn child, or treat ectopic/molar pregnancies. It also defines "pregnant" and "unborn child," locking in specific legal meanings that could have ripple effects beyond this specific ban.
Real-World Shutdown
Let's say a doctor in a state where abortion is currently legal prescribes mifepristone and misoprostol. Under this new law, that doctor could be arrested and face federal charges, a lengthy prison sentence, plus fines. Or, consider a pharmacist who fills that prescription – they're also on the hook. Even someone selling these drugs online, regardless of state laws, would be committing a federal crime. This could immediately shut down a major avenue for abortion access across the country, impacting anyone who relies on medication abortion, which, according to SEC. 2. Findings, now accounts for over half of all abortions in the U.S.
Exceptions: Narrow and Potentially Risky
The bill does include exceptions. Contraceptives used before a pregnancy can be confirmed are okay. Treatment for miscarriages is allowed, but only under "accepted medical guidelines" – which isn't clearly defined, potentially leaving doctors vulnerable. There's also an exception for life-threatening physical conditions, but it requires a physician's certification, and the bill is very specific about it being a physical condition caused by the pregnancy itself. This could be a very narrow exception, and doctors might hesitate, fearing prosecution if their judgment is later questioned. The bill specifically states that the woman undergoing the abortion can't be prosecuted (Section 4, "Bar to Prosecution").
The Big Picture
This bill isn't just tweaking existing rules; it's a fundamental shift. The renaming of Chapter 74 to "Abortion crimes" (SEC. 3) isn't just symbolic. It reframes the entire discussion. Combined with the broad prohibition and potentially narrow exceptions, the "Ending Chemical Abortions Act of 2025" could drastically alter reproductive healthcare access nationwide, create a climate of fear among medical professionals, and has the potential to impact how miscarriages are handled.