Attorney General Tim Griffin asks Congress to prevent abortion pills shipment to Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Attorney General Tim Griffin is calling on Congress to aid in preventing the shipment of abortion pills to Arkansas, where abortion is illegal.

Griffin said he led a multi-state letter along with 15 other attorneys general asking Congress to consider passing a federal law to prevent “shield laws” in pro-abortion states from protecting those who ship abortion pills to states where abortion is prohibited.

Abortion became illegal in Arkansas after a trigger law was passed following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. The legislation banned abortion in the state, except to save the life of the mother.

“Arkansas and many other states have since outlawed abortion, but we have faced a problem of abortion pills such as mifepristone, which are taken to induce chemical abortions, being shipped into our State illegally, Griffin said. “The law is very clear on this issue, and regardless of how one feels about the law, it is vital that the law be upheld.”

By passing “shield” laws, Griffin said states are interfering with other states’ ability to enforce criminal laws, which affects the constitutional structure.

Griffin was joined by attorneys general of Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Griffin also added that he has sent cease-and-desist letters to two entities that are shipping abortion pills to Arkansas or advertising the ability to be shipped to the state. Two additional cease-and-desist letters were also sent to two companies that support a website promoting abortion pills, Griffin said.