During a recent Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing, discussions on the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone took a contentious turn. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley engaged in a sharp exchange with OB-GYN Dr. Nisha Verma over biological questions related to pregnancy. The session, aimed at examining the drug's safety profile, unexpectedly veered into a broader debate on gender and biology.
The moment that captured national attention began when Senator Ashley Moody of Florida queried Dr. Verma about the possibility of male patients becoming pregnant. Dr. Verma, cautious in her response, acknowledged the diversity of her patients' identities but seemed hesitant to directly address the question's biological implications. Senator Hawley interceded, seeking a clear, science-based answer, and pressed Dr. Verma to state plainly whether men can become pregnant.
Dr. Verma, hesitant, pointed out that simplifying the matter to a binary yes-or-no question could overlook the complexities of patient identities and care. However, Hawley persisted, emphasizing the importance of truth and scientific evidence over political interpretation. The exchange became increasingly tense, with Hawley criticizing Dr. Verma's reluctance to affirm a biological fact that men cannot become pregnant, questioning her credibility as a scientist.
Shifting focus, Hawley raised concerns about the safety of mifepristone, citing studies that indicate adverse health events at rates significantly higher than those reported on FDA labels. The debate over the drug's safety was overshadowed by the viral moment, which social media amplified. Video clips of the exchange spread rapidly, generating a wide range of reactions from commentators across the political spectrum.
Following the hearing, both Hawley and Moody took to social media to reiterate the biological stance that men cannot become pregnant. The Family Research Council also entered the conversation, calling for the Trump administration to uphold strict FDA safety standards for abortion drugs.
The exchange reflects ongoing congressional tensions over gender, biological science, and abortion policy. With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, these topics are poised to remain at the forefront of legislative debates. As the dust settles on this viral hearing moment, the implications for future policy discussions and public discourse continue to unfold.
