Some Republican senators voiced their displeasure following a confidential briefing with FDA Commissioner Marty Makary on Tuesday, criticizing the agency for what they perceive as a lackluster approach to the safety review of the abortion drug mifepristone. The senators, led by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), are pushing for more stringent congressional oversight of the drug.

Sen. Hawley, particularly disheartened by the lack of clear timelines and details about the ongoing audit, expressed doubt about the FDA's commitment to the review. "I think that this safety study is a dead end," Hawley stated in an interview after the briefing. "I just think that FDA is not serious about it. I don't think that they're proceeding with any sense of urgency whatsoever. If they're really proceeding at all. I frankly, can't tell."

Sen. Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and organized the briefing, also lamented the slow pace of the study, calling it "disappointing" and criticizing the FDA for not making significant progress.

The controversy over mifepristone, which is used in more than two-thirds of abortion procedures, continues as Republicans explore various legislative strategies to restrict access to the drug. Despite previous failures to impose restrictions through government funding bills, Hawley hinted at forthcoming plans to either incorporate measures in the next appropriations process or introduce a standalone bill.

"I don't have confidence [the FDA review] is going to amount to anything," Hawley added, indicating a potential shift towards legislative action. "My view is Congress now needs to get involved."

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), when reached for comment, directed inquiries to a prior FDA statement, which emphasized the agency's intention to conduct the study thoroughly and efficiently, noting that such reviews typically take around a year or more.

This pushback from GOP senators comes amid broader conservative frustration with the Trump administration's decision to maintain Biden-era regulations that expanded access to abortion pills through mail and telemedicine. Efforts to curb access at retail pharmacies have been seen as insufficient by many in the anti-abortion movement, who are also pressing for an outright ban on telemedicine prescriptions of the drug.

As the FDA continues its study, several Republican-led states, including those represented by Cassidy and Hawley, are pursuing legal challenges against the agency. These states are urging federal judges to defer rulings on the drug until the completion of the FDA's review. Meanwhile, with midterm elections approaching, anti-abortion activists have expressed their impatience, threatening to pull support from the GOP unless decisive action is taken on the issue of abortion drugs.