Dear MoveOn member,
Once again, our rights and bodily autonomy are in the hands of the right-wing-packed Supreme Court. The Supreme Court just heard oral arguments on access to mifepristone–the FDA-approved, safe, and effective abortion pill.1 And two of the court's most conservative, anti-abortion judges referenced the Comstock Act, a 150-year-old, sexist, invasive, and dormant law—that is, tragically, still on the books—in their questions, a sign that they are looking for opportunities to turn back the clock a century and a half.2
This is the same Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade just two years ago. And although there have been reports of justices seeming skeptical of restricting access to mifepristone, we should be alarmed: Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas referenced the Comstock Act of 1873 during yesterday's hearing.3
The Comstock Act—if enforced—is a law that prohibits the mailing of contraceptives through the mail.4 If the GOP wins this presidency this November, Donald Trump could enforce this law, which is still on the books though it's long been unenforced—and therefore restrict access to medication abortion as well as other contraceptives. That's right: It's a backdoor to an abortion ban—as well as an attack on birth control, which the right wing has its targets set on—and the Supreme Court is handing Donald Trump the key. We need to act now while we can to make sure we aren't subject to the whims of an ancient, sexist law, a maniacal president, and a regressive Supreme Court.
Will you sign the petition demanding that the Comstock Act is repealed NOW?
Anti-abortion extremists are willing to go to any length to strip away our rights and access to reproductive health. From Roe v. Wade to IVF to mifepristone, the right wing will stop at nothing to implement a nationwide abortion ban.
The Comstock Act states that "every article or thing designed, adapted, or intended for producing abortion" to be "nonmailable." Medication abortion accounted for 63% of all abortion care in 2023.5
The act also was an obstacle to birth control for many years—something that many conservatives want to attack next. Enforcing the Comstock Act would restrict millions of people from getting the crucial health care they need. Add your name to demand that the Comstock Act be repealed now!
Supreme Court justices' and anti-abortion extremists' referencing this law is dangerous on various levels. It has been reported that these extremists and Trump allies are planning to enforce this law if Donald Trump becomes president again. A quote from one of the leaders behind the Texas abortion ban said, "We don’t need a federal ban when we have Comstock on the books" and that Trump should keep his mouth shut about Comstock until after the election.6
Anti-abortion extremists are working behind the scenes and with the right-wing-backed court on their side. We have to come together to spread the word about these dangerous threats to our reproductive rights and demand that those in power take action NOW to stop these extremists from using the Comstock Act before it's too late.
Sign the petition now to demand that the Comstock Act be repealed, and share with three friends!
Thanks for all you do.
–Alexis, Mona, Amanda, Amy, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "The Abortion Pill Case: What's at Stake and What's Next," The New York Times, March 25, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/188741?t=8&akid=379415%2E40999114%2EfAiaXF
2. "Why a 19th-century law matters in the Supreme Court abortion pill fight," Axios, March 26, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/188937?t=10&akid=379415%2E40999114%2EfAiaXF
3. "Most Supreme Court Justices Seem Skeptical of Effort to Curtail Abortion Pill Access," The New York Times, March 27, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/188739?t=12&akid=379415%2E40999114%2EfAiaXF
4. "Why a 19th-century law matters in the Supreme Court abortion pill fight," Axios, March 26, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/188937?t=14&akid=379415%2E40999114%2EfAiaXF
5. "Medication Abortion Accounted for 63% of All US Abortions in 2023—An Increase from 53% in 2020," Guttmacher Institute, March 19, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/188740?t=16&akid=379415%2E40999114%2EfAiaXF
6. "Trump Allies Plan New Sweeping Abortion Restrictions," The New York Times, February 17, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/188938?t=18&akid=379415%2E40999114%2EfAiaXF
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