Democrats Push to Repeal 1873 Law Amid Abortion Ban Fears

Senate Democrats are pushing to repeal the 150-year-old Comstock Act, fearing it could be used to restrict access to abortion pills. The law, which bans sending lewd or abortion-related materials through the mail, could be exploited by a future Republican administration to limit abortion access nationwide. While some Democrats and reproductive rights advocates support the repeal, others are cautious, fearing it could legitimize the outdated law. The Biden administration and the Justice Department have stated that the Comstock Act does not apply to mailing abortion drugs where there is no intent for unlawful use.