WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Senate committee hearing on the safety of chemical abortion drugs took an unexpected turn on January 14, 2026, when Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) repeatedly questioned a Democratic witness, board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Nisha Verma, about whether men can get pregnant.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee session, titled “Protecting Women: Exposing the Dangers of Chemical Abortion Drugs,” examined the use of mifepristone and related medications. Witnesses included Verma, a senior adviser for Physicians for Reproductive Health, who defended the safety and accessibility of medication abortion.
The exchange began when Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (appearing as a witness or questioner in related capacity) first asked Verma if men can get pregnant. Verma responded cautiously, noting she treats patients with various gender identities and expressing uncertainty about the question’s intent.
Sen. Josh @HawleyMO: "Can men get pregnant?"
Dr. Nisha Verma: "I'm not really sure what the goal of the question is."
Hawley: "The goal is just to establish a biological reality...Can men get pregnant?" pic.twitter.com/4egtfZrPgB— CSPAN (@cspan) January 14, 2026
Hawley then interjected and pressed for a direct answer. “Can men get pregnant?” he asked multiple times, framing the inquiry as a test of scientific consistency. He referenced Verma’s earlier testimony emphasizing that “science and evidence should control, not politics,” and challenged her to apply that standard.
Verma maintained that the question was polarizing and oversimplified complex patient experiences. She explained she cares for “people with many identities” and preferred a broader discussion over a binary yes-or-no response. Hawley countered that the goal was “just the truth” and to “establish a biological reality,” adding that refusing to acknowledge basic differences between biological men and women undermines credibility on scientific matters.
The senator ultimately stated for the record: “It’s women who get pregnant, not men.” He tied the point back to the hearing’s focus, arguing that discussions about abortion drug safety must center on biological women, given the drugs’ impact on female reproductive health. Hawley also highlighted reported adverse events from chemical abortions, claiming rates far exceed FDA labeling.
Post-hearing, Hawley shared a video clip on X, captioning it “SPOILER ALERT: Men cannot get pregnant,” and followed up with “Can men get pregnant? Not a difficult question.” The moment quickly went viral, drawing widespread commentary on social media and conservative outlets, where many viewed Verma’s hesitation as emblematic of ideological influence overriding straightforward biology.
The hearing occurred amid ongoing national debates over abortion policy following the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision and recent scrutiny of medication abortion regulations. Proponents of chemical abortion drugs cite extensive studies supporting their safety, while critics raise concerns about coercion, incomplete reporting of complications, and long-term effects.
Neither Verma nor committee Democrats immediately commented further on the exchange. Video of the full hearing remains available through official Senate channels and C-SPAN archives.
