The Stop Comstock Act

The bill would remove federal legal language that has been used to restrict the mailing and importation of abortion-related supplies, potentially changing the legal landscape for the distribution of these items across state lines.

• •The bill removes the phrase 'or indecent' from 18 U.S.C. § 552.
• •The bill removes references to 'means for procuring abortion' and 'articles of indecent or immoral use' from 18 U.S.C. § 552.
• •The bill amends 18 U.S.C. § 1461 to narrow the scope of prohibited items to 'obscene materials' only, removing broader language regarding 'lewd' or 'lascivious' items.
• •The bill removes references to section 3001(e) of title 39 from 18 U.S.C. § 1461.
• •The bill removes definitions of 'indecent' from 18 U.S.C. § 1461.
• •The bill updates cross-references in 18 U.S.C. § 1462 from section 230(e)(2) to 230(f)(2).
• •The bill amends 18 U.S.C. § 1462 to restrict the prohibition of interstate commerce to 'obscene material' only.
• •The bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1305) to remove prohibitions on the importation of 'immoral' items and 'unlawful abortion' materials.
• •The bill removes specific provisos in the Tariff Act regarding the Secretary of the Treasury's authority over certain drugs and items.

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.