63% of all U.S. abortions are medication-based. The 1873 Comstock Act could be used to ban mailing abortion pills nationwide, even in states where abortion is legal. Anti-abortion groups have petitioned the DOJ to enforce it.
Write Your Own Letter
There is no pre-written letter for this issue yet. Use the key facts and call script on this page to write your own.
Resistbot is a free nonprofit tool that finds your elected officials and delivers your letter as a fax, email, or physical letter.
Text RESIST to 50409 to start writing.
Call Your Representative
U.S. Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Here's what to say:
- I'm calling to ask the Senator to co-sponsor the Stop Comstock Act.
- 63% of all abortions in the U.S. are now medication-based. The FDA approved mifepristone 26 years ago. The serious complication rate is below 0.4%.
- Anti-abortion groups are pushing the DOJ to use the Comstock Act of 1873 to ban mailing abortion medication. That would function as a nationwide ban even in states that protect access.
- An 1873 law should not override 26 years of FDA-approved medicine. Congress needs to act before the DOJ does.
- I'm a constituent. Please co-sponsor the Stop Comstock Act and force a floor vote.
Calls get logged. Staff track volume by topic. Your call counts.
Write Your Own Letter
Prefer to write in your own words? Use this as a starting point.
Dear [Senator/Representative name],
I am writing as a constituent from [city, state] about prevent comstock act enforcement against medication abortion.
63% of all abortions in the U.S. are now medication-based. The FDA approved mifepristone 26 years ago. The serious complication rate is below 0.4%.
Anti-abortion groups are pushing the DOJ to use the Comstock Act of 1873 to ban mailing abortion medication. That would function as a nationwide ban even in states that protect access.
An 1873 law should not override 26 years of FDA-approved medicine. Congress needs to act before the DOJ does.
The facts support this: 63% Share of all U.S. abortions that are now medication-based. 13,000 Petitions delivered to the DOJ demanding Comstock enforcement against abortion medication. 0.4% Serious complication rate for medication abortion across decades of studies.
I am asking you to take a public position on this issue and act accordingly. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
Find your representative to send this directly.
Key Facts to Mention
Use these in your letter, call, email, or social post.
- 63% Share of all U.S. abortions that are now medication-based
- 13,000 Petitions delivered to the DOJ demanding Comstock enforcement against abortion medication
- 0.4% Serious complication rate for medication abortion across decades of studies
Preview the full letter
63% of all abortions in the United States are now medication-based. More than 25% are managed via telehealth. The FDA approved mifepristone in 2000, and decades of studies confirm a serious complication rate below 0.4%.
The threat: the Comstock Act of 1873 prohibits mailing anything "intended for producing abortion." If the DOJ enforced a broad reading, it could function as a de facto nationwide ban on medication abortion -- even in states that protect access -- by blocking the mailing of pills and surgical instruments. Anti-abortion groups have delivered nearly 13,000 petitions demanding enforcement.
The Stop Comstock Act has been introduced but has no realistic path to passage. Tell your representatives to co-sponsor it and force a vote. An 1873 law written before women could vote should not be the tool that bans medication abortion in 2026.
This action is part of our Reproductive Rights coverage.