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John,
The Comstock Act, an archaic piece of legislation that has been largely ignored for decades, has been revived by anti-abortion extremists to justify their crusades against reproductive rights. The Comstock Act was originally championed in 1873 by notorious “anti-vice” crusader Anthony Comstock, who aimed to uphold “Christian morality” and save “the young from contamination” by suppressing what he deemed to be obscene materials.
Republicans today are trying to use this old law to prohibit the distribution of birth control and information about abortion through the mail.
Republicans’ dangerous interpretation of the Comstock Act would criminalize the shipping of any abortion-related materials, including medication and medical equipment, effectively banning all abortion care in the United States. It would supersede all state-level protections for reproductive care and prescribe prison sentences of up to 10 years and/or up to $250k in fines for those who violate it.
In the post-Roe era, 63% of all abortions in the United States are medication abortions — the safest and most scientifically studied method of abortion. Conservatives are working to eliminate all abortion access by any means necessary — hence their weaponization of the 1873 Comstock Act.
Extremists have used their interpretation of the Comstock Act to prevent corporate pharmacies from providing abortion pills and as an argument in favor of allowing the Supreme Court to outright ban medication abortion.
The Comstock Act is outdated, extreme, and incompatible with our modern understanding of abortion care and bodily autonomy. We must protect our shared value of individual liberty and expand access to reproductive care for all. This law must be immediately repealed by Congress to preserve reproductive freedom.
Sign the petition: We demand our legislators take immediate action to repeal the Comstock Act and remove this dangerous obstacle to safe and legal abortions.
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