John,

Today, nearly a quarter into the 21st century, we are still seeing the effects of an extreme 19th century law that was written to save “the young from contamination” and “Devil traps.”

This is the Comstock Act, an archaic 150-year-old artifact that has now been resurrected by anti-choice forces to argue for the banning of all medication abortion in the United States, regardless of its legal status in each state.

It’s no accident medication abortions are now in the sights of the anti-abortion forces. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, medication abortions have become more standard as women and doctors turn to more accessible, safe alternatives. Medication alone is used in 63% of all abortions.

Based on the still-on-the-books Comstock Act, conservative strategists are now warning national corporate pharmacies against carrying the pills, which may be the only means of abortion available in many small towns across the country.

The Comstock Act does not reflect current scientific understanding or cultural realities. It does not deserve to shape policy and law enforcement in modern-day America. Tell Congress to repeal this outdated relic and remove this dangerous obstacle to safe and legal abortions.

The Comstock Act makes it a federal crime to ship any materials related to “obscenity,” defined so broadly as to include all aspects of human sexuality, including information about birth control and abortion, and any equipment or medication related to these practices.

It’s not hard to extrapolate: not only could the weaponization of the Comstock Act result in the banning of all abortion care in the United States, the Act explicitly names contraception as another of its targets. Extremists could use this same law to ban IUD’s and condoms, not to mention the birth control pill.

As a federal law, the Comstock Act supersedes the laws of every state, regardless of the size of a state’s pro-choice (or pro-birth control) majority. Those who violate it are subject to up to 10 years in prison and/or $250,000 in fines. That’s no small penalty. Few doctors or pharmacists will be willing to take the risk of prosecution.

The Comstock Act has no place in modern society, and it should be repealed. Women must have the right to control their own bodies.

Sign the petition to demand Congress repeal the Comstock Act immediately.

Thank you for taking action to bring abortion law into the 21st century.

- DFA AF Team