House · HR 2029 · 119th Congress
Stop Comstock Act
Summary
This bill removes old laws that banned mailing or importing materials related to abortion and birth control. It keeps bans on truly obscene content but strips out language that dates back to the 1873 Comstock Act. The changes affect federal mail and trade laws and would allow legal reproductive health items to be sent freely.
In Favor
Current law uses century-old language to block legal abortion and birth control materials from the mail. This bill clears out that outdated language so legal reproductive health care can reach people without fear of federal charges. Removing these barriers protects access to care that courts have long recognized as legal.
Against
This bill removes the only federal law that lets officials block abortion-inducing drugs like mifepristone from the mail. That statutory lever disappears entirely, with no updated or narrower rule put in its place. The repeal is total, leaving a gap in federal oversight of mail-based distribution of abortion medications that no other current law fills.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This bill removes references to abortion and related items from old federal laws on mailing or importing obscene materials. It aims to make those laws apply only to materials that courts define as obscene.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The bill stays focused on editing three existing federal statutes to remove specific language about abortion, contraception, and similar items from federal obscenity laws.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
People who send or receive abortion-related materials through the mail or imports could be affected, along with federal agencies that enforce these laws and must apply the updated rules.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not authorize or appropriate any specific dollar amount. It shifts the duties of federal agencies to enforce revised rules, which may create some administrative costs to update guidance and enforcement practices.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
Courts or agencies may need to interpret the new, shorter legal text to decide what still counts as regulated material, since the bill removes detailed definitions that existed before.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 10/10/2026