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Read. Follow. Verify.The Stop Comstock Act
Last action · March 11, 2025: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.Sponsors: Becca Balint and 146 others
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What This Bill Would Do
This bill proposes to remove references to 'indecent' or 'immoral' materials and abortion-related items from federal laws that regulate the mailing and importation of goods. It specifically targets sections of the U.S. Code and the that have historically been used to restrict the distribution of materials related to abortion.
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.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Reproductive health providers
The bill changes federal restrictions on the mailing and importation of medical supplies and materials.
Postal Service
The bill modifies the legal standards for what materials are prohibited from being sent through the mail.
Key Facts
- 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.
Show all 9 facts
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Comstock Act?
Does this bill legalize abortion?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Abortion foes eye Interpol’s global law enforcement network to target abortion pills
Anti-abortion groups are exploring the use of Interpol's global law enforcement network to identify and intercept shipments of the abortion medication mifepristone ordered from overseas. This strategy is reportedly being considered due to perceived limitations in current domestic enforcement efforts.
Aborto en riesgo: 50 votos en el Senado confirman a Todd Blanche tras filtración sobre la restricción nacional del acceso a la salud reproductiva
The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as the new Attorney General following a 50-49 vote. The confirmation follows reports regarding potential federal restrictions on reproductive health access and the potential use of the Comstock Act to limit the mailing of abortion medication.
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Mar 11, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Mar 11, 2025HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 142 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Narrowing of Federal Prohibitions
The bill represents a systematic effort to remove broad moralistic language ('indecent', 'immoral') from federal statutes, replacing it with a narrower focus on 'obscene' materials.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance90How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy95Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment20Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz85Current news / social attention level
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