Memo to Members of Congress: Repeal the Comstock Act
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, access to abortion has grown increasingly dire. With total abortion bans in 14 states and more restrictive measures in others, countless individuals are facing life-threatening situations due to lack of access to safe abortion care. But the threat doesn’t stop there. As the right-wing agenda advances, the Comstock Act, a relic of the past, looms ominously, poised to strip away not just reproductive rights, but the very fabric of public health in the United States.
Healthcare Across Borders, together with Take Back the Court Action Fund, and Ultraviolet Action have released a memo to members of Congress revealing the insidious intentions of the right, highlighting how the Comstock Act could be manipulated to effectively ban abortion nationwide, alongside other critical medical interventions. With Supreme Court Justices like Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas already signaling potential support for such measures, the time to act is now. Congress must repeal this antiquated law and safeguard our rights and the well-being of millions. The future of reproductive freedom hangs in the balance, and it’s up to us to ensure that Comstock’s shadow never darkens our rights again.