Catholic Pro-Life Leader states: “By placing a hold on FDA commissioner nominee Andrew Von Eschenbach, Senator DeMint is making a bold stand on behalf of life.”

Contact: Jason Jones, Human Life International, 540-551-0217, jjones@hli.org

FRONT ROYAL, Va., Sept. 22 /Christian Newswire/ --  The Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International, issued the following statement in regards to Sen. Jim DeMint’s (R-S.C.) decision to place a block Andrew Von Eschenbach’s nomination as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner until steps are taken to suspend sales of the abortion drug RU-486.

"It is a rare thing indeed to witness profiles in courage in the halls of Congress.  We salute the courage that Sen. DeMint is displaying by placing a hold on the nomination of Andrew Von Eschenbach.  This is a bold stand by the senator in defense of the innocent unborn and their mothers.  We are grateful for his stance and we pray that he will remain steadfast in this effort.

"Andrew von Eschenbach has shown a callous disregard for the health, safety and well-being of American women by allowing the over-the-counter (OTC) sales of Plan B.  Now, he appears poised to add insult to injury by ignoring calls to remove RU-486 even though it is known to be deadly not only to the babies it chemically aborts, but to many of the unsuspecting mothers who have used it.

"The FDA has been given a mandate to protect consumers from dangerous drugs.  Unfortunately, it appears the von Eschenbach is willing to abandon this mandate in the name of political expediency and under the pressure of the powerful abortion lobby.

"If the president will not withdraw this nomination, then we implore the Senate to reject this nominee when his nomination is brought to a vote."

Founded in 1981, Human Life International is the world’s largest pro-life, pro-family organization that is dedicated to defending life, faith and the family, with branches and affiliates around the world.