President Donald Trump's pick to run the Food and Drug Administration left Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) briefly speechless by declining to say whether an intrauterine device causes an abortion.
Heidi Overton, a physician and White House domestic policy adviser, appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday for her confirmation hearing.
Murray pressed Overton on birth control in the final seconds of her time to question the nominee.
"Last year, the Trump administration falsely labeled birth control as abortion. Do you agree that, say, an IUD is an abortifacient?" Murray asked.
"Senator, if I have the privilege of being confirmed, first off, I commit to working with you on the food safety pillars that are critically important," Overton replied.
"I appreciate that. But I wanted to know if you agree that IUD is an abortifacient," Murray pressed.
"Senator, thank you for the question. If I'm confirmed as FDA commissioner, I'll be fully briefed in all their prior decisions and make determinations according to the standards of safety and efficacy," Overton answered.
"I don't think you answered the question," Murray said after a long pause, during which she flashed a confused look at the committee's chairman, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
"Look, I think it is outrageous and should be deeply alarming to all Americans right now that the prospect of an FDA commissioner who doesn't know that birth control is not an abortion is deeply concerning to me," Murray continued.
Murray's claim traced to September 2025, when the U.S. Agency for International Development told The New York Times why the administration planned to destroy about $10 million in birth control meant for women overseas.
"President Trump is committed to protecting the lives of unborn children all around the world. The administration will no longer supply abortifacient birth control under the guise of foreign aid," the agency said.
The supplies included IUDs, birth control pills, and hormonal implants, journalist Jessica Valenti reported in her Substack newsletter.
"By definition, contraceptives prevent pregnancy – not end a pregnancy. IUDs and other forms of birth control do not cause abortion, and any suggestion otherwise is misinformation," the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists told CNN last year.
If confirmed, Overton would lead the FDA as it reviews the safety of the abortion pill mifepristone, The New York Times reported ahead of the hearing.
The newspaper said Overton would be the first commissioner to have openly opposed the drug, which she has called "dangerous to women."
