Larson Cosponsors Legislation to Prevent Future Attacks on Reproductive Freedom

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) introduced the Stop Comstock Act with a group of his Democratic colleagues to prevent any future Republican administration from attempting to bypass Congress and implement a national abortion ban or restrictions.  

“As we approach two years since the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, we have seen the disastrous impact of that decision play out in states across the country,” said Larson. “Now, Republican elected officials and conservative organizations are promising to misuse an antiquated federal law to ban or restrict abortion access nationwide, including in Connecticut. We introduced the Stop Comstock Act today to repeal this outdated statute before it can ever be weaponized to deny America’s women access to reproductive health care." 

The Comstock Act was passed in 1873 to prevent the mailing and receiving of “obscene material." Since then, clear precedent from all three branches of government has established that it does not apply to materials used for legal abortions. Despite this, anti-choice activists and groups, including the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, have made clear their plans to misuse the law to restrict reproductive rights in Connecticut and across the country.  

Rep. Larson is also a cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade to ensure million across the country have access to safe and legal abortion care, as well as the Right to Contraception Act, legislation to protect access to birth control.  

To read a summary of the Stop Comstock Act, click here.