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Part ofreproductive rights →
HR2029FEDERALin_committee
High Impact

The Stop Comstock Act

Original title: Stop Comstock Act

March 11, 2025

reproductive rightspostal servicefederal lawtradecensorship

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Where This Stands

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Signed

Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Last action
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.Mar 11, 2025

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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The Frame

What this does

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 is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

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.

What changed

Current stage: in_committee.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

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.

Why It Matters

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.

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.
  • 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?
The Comstock Act is a set of 19th-century laws that, among other things, prohibited the mailing of 'obscene' materials and items intended for 'unlawful' abortion.
Does this bill legalize abortion?
The bill does not directly regulate abortion procedures; it removes federal statutory language that has been used to restrict the mailing and importation of materials related to abortion.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Sponsors

Discoveries

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

policy shift90% confidence

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.

18 U.S.C. 55218 U.S.C. 146118 U.S.C. 1462

Connected Entities

organizationCommittee on Ways and Means“Secondary committee assigned to review the bill.”Map →
organizationCommittee on the Judiciary“Primary committee assigned to review the bill.”Map →
personMs. Balint“Primary sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives.”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance90
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy95
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment20
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz85
    Current news / social attention level

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