• The Department of Justice asked SCOTUS to continue to allow abortion drug mifepristone to remain available after lower court ruling restricted distribution
• The admin said the lower court orders would have 'sweeping consequences' for women who need access to mifepristone 
• The Supreme Court has until after midnight to respond to the emergency request

President Joe Biden's administration asked the Supreme Court on Friday to block lower courts from limiting access to abortion pills.

The Justice Department filed an emergency request asking the justices to put on hold a ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas to significantly restrict abortion pill mifepristone's distribution while litigation is being challenged in courts by pro-life groups.

Danco Laboratories, the manufacturer of mifepristone, also asked the Supreme Court for similar relief on Friday.

The Supreme Court in June 2022 overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that had legalized the procedure across the country, sending it back to states to regulate. The Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority.

Pro-abortion supporters say curbing access to mifepristone would deal another major setback to abortion access nationally.