Washington, D.C., March 30, 2026 — The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce has joined a coalition of 37 organizations, led by Advancing American Freedom (AAF), in filing an amicus brief in Missouri v. FDA—a pivotal case addressing states’ rights, public health, and the broader impact on America’s workforce.
At the center of the case is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to loosen safety protocols surrounding the chemical abortion drug mifepristone, which now accounts for approximately 60% of all abortions in the United States. In 2021, the FDA removed the in-person physician requirement, allowing prescriptions to be issued remotely—resulting in the widespread mailing of abortion drugs, including into states where abortion is restricted or prohibited.
The coalition argues that these changes not only undermine state authority but also raise serious concerns regarding patient safety, continuity of care, and long-term public health outcomes—all of which directly impact workforce stability and economic productivity.
“The health of our communities is directly tied to the strength and stability of our workforce,” said Duvi Honig, Founder & CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. “Policies that bypass medical safeguards and create fragmented care environments don’t just affect individuals—they ripple through families, employers, and the broader economy. As an organization representing tens of thousands of businesses, we view this as both a public health issue and a workforce issue.”
Despite these concerns, the Department of Justice has argued that states lack standing to challenge the FDA’s actions. The amicus brief strongly disputes that claim, emphasizing that the removal of in-person requirements effectively enables ongoing violations of state laws designed to protect life.
At the core of the case is the Tenth Amendment, which reserves to the states powers not delegated to the federal government—including the authority to regulate or prohibit abortion. This authority was reaffirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which returned abortion policy decisions to the states.
“States’ pro-life laws protect both women and the unborn from the dangers of abortion,” said AAF General Counsel J. Marc Wheat. “The FDA’s removal of the in-person dispensing requirement has enabled efforts to bypass these protections. The states have standing, and the Court should deny the motion to dismiss.”
The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce emphasized that its participation reflects its broader mission of engaging in national policy issues where healthcare, economic stability, and workforce development intersect.