Schumer Urged to Repeal Comstock Abortion Law

Repealing Comstock Act: Advocacy Groups Urge Schumer to Take Action

A coalition of advocacy organizations has sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urging him to hold a vote on a proposal aimed at repealing a long-dormant law that could be used to effectively ban abortion in the United States.

Background

The Comstock Act, passed in 1873, prohibits the distribution of abortion-related materials through the mail. While the law has largely been considered obsolete, some experts warn that a future Republican administration could attempt to leverage the law to restrict access to abortion without Congressional action.

The Letter

The letter, signed by various abortion-rights and court-reform groups, emphasizes the need for action to prevent a future administration from weaponizing the Comstock Act. The signatories, including Take Back the Court Action Fund, Healthcare Across Borders, Abortion Access Front, and others, urge Schumer to force opponents of abortion to show their hand by putting the Stop Comstock Act up for a vote.

Stop Comstock Act

The Stop Comstock Act, introduced by Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) in June, seeks to repeal the abortion provisions of the 1873 federal law. Some experts argue that the law is no longer relevant, but abortion-rights advocates warn that a Republican administration could attempt to use the law to restrict access to abortion without Congressional action.

Threats to Abortion Rights

Abortion-rights advocates have sounded the alarm bell that a future administration could attempt to revive the Comstock Act to ban abortion nationwide. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, two of the Supreme Court’s leading conservatives, have signaled a willingness to revive the statute.

The Consequences of Inaction

The letter warns that if the Comstock Act is not repealed, a future administration could use it to ban abortion without Congressional action. The signatories emphasize the importance of taking action to protect access to abortion and to prevent a future administration from misapplying the Comstock Act.

Reaction from Schumer’s Office

The Hill has reached out to Schumer’s office for comment, but no response has been provided at the time of this writing.

The Future of Abortion Rights

The debate over the Comstock Act is part of a broader conversation about the future of abortion rights in the United States. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many states have implemented restrictions on access to abortion, and some advocates warn that a future administration could attempt to restrict access to abortion nationwide.

Conclusion

The repeal of the Comstock Act is a critical step in protecting access to abortion in the United States. Advocacy groups are urging Schumer to take action and put the Stop Comstock Act up for a vote. If the Comstock Act is not repealed, a future administration could use it to ban abortion without Congressional action.

FAQs

Q: What is the Comstock Act?
A: The Comstock Act is a federal law passed in 1873 that prohibits the distribution of abortion-related materials through the mail.

Q: Why is the Comstock Act considered a threat to abortion rights?
A: While the law has largely been considered obsolete, some experts warn that a future Republican administration could attempt to leverage the law to restrict access to abortion without Congressional action.

Q: What is the Stop Comstock Act?
A: The Stop Comstock Act is a proposal introduced by Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) that seeks to repeal the abortion provisions of the 1873 federal law.

Q: Why are advocacy groups urging Schumer to hold a vote on the Stop Comstock Act?
A: Advocacy groups are urging Schumer to hold a vote on the Stop Comstock Act to prevent a future administration from misapplying the law and to protect access to abortion in the United States.