Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., joined Christian leaders Wednesday in unveiling a "Declaration for Life" that calls on Republican officeholders and candidates to pledge support for legislation restricting abortion, including a federal ban on the chemical abortion drug mifepristone.

The four-page declaration was presented during the first annual Missouri Prayer Breakfast in the Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building. Hawley said the document, drafted by more than 30 pastors from multiple denominations, emphasizes the right to life as the most foundational of all rights and urges action against chemical abortion.

More than 50,000 Americans signed the declaration within hours of its release, and it is being circulated by pro-life groups including the Family Research Council. Hawley described it as a call for spiritual leaders and everyday Christians to confront the issue of chemical abortion on the 250th anniversary of the United States.

"This is a declaration for life calling on the country to once again embrace a culture of life and in particular to put a stop to the scourge of the abortion drug known as mifepristone," Hawley said.

The declaration states that the defense of human life is the oldest of American causes and highlights the dangers of mifepristone, which accounts for about three-fourths of abortions in the U.S. It notes that recent regulatory changes allow the drug to be mailed nationwide regardless of state laws, and it points to studies showing serious complications in more than one in 10 women who take it.

Hawley has introduced legislation, the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act, that would withdraw Food and Drug Administration approval of mifepristone for abortion use and create a private right of action for women harmed by the drug to sue manufacturers. The bill has several Republican co-sponsors.

Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council and Christian singer Sean Feucht participated in the event. Perkins noted that the Republican Party has faced criticism for softening its stance on life issues in recent platforms.

Hawley called on lawmakers from both parties to sign the declaration and support a vote on his bill, arguing that only Congress can remove the drug from the market for abortion purposes.

The effort comes as mifepristone remains under FDA review, with pro-life groups anticipating potential action on its approval status.