WASHINGTON, D.C. ? Anti-abortion groups are urging President Bush to withdraw his nominee to head the Food and Drug Administration, angry that the agency may allow nonprescription sales of the morning-after pill.

Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach already is facing a roadblock from the other side of that issue. Democrats are upset that the FDA has long delayed settling the three-year debate on whether at least some women could buy the emergency contraceptive without a doctor’s note.

Amid the political accusations, the FDA is contacting both the anti-abortion groups and their main opponent, Planned Parenthood, to hear their last-minute arguments on the fate of the drug, called Plan B.

Two Democrats had placed a hold on von Eschenbach’s confirmation vote in the Senate pending FDA’s final decision on Plan B.

Bush “continues to strongly support Dr. von Eschenbach’s nomination,” White House spokesman Tony Snow said in a statement.