that centered reproductive freedom. It was the second topic he addressed, behind only threats to democracy, abroad with Putin and at home with Trump. In turning to reproductive rights, Biden was able to showcase the powerful stories of his invited guests, like. But we noticed the omission of another word, which we think is possibly even more significant given the coming election: Comstock.
These anti-abortion activists reason that because everything used to induce an abortion—pills, instruments, supplies, and more—travels through the mail in some form, the Trump administration could use the Comstock Act to shut down abortion everywhere, even in states where it is legal.
Some politicians excel at creating monsters, often out of nothing. They have learned that fear can sometimes drive voters more than hope. Comstock could be a monster—a real one with a real and devastating threat to abortion in the near future. Yet, Democrats have failed to force the issue and make “Comstock” a word that everyone knows, a word that instills fear and propels people to vote accordingly.
And they should also know, more importantly, that the election of Joe Biden could immediately blunt or even stop the Comstock threat. Biden needs to paint the picture not only of the current horrors, but how much worse it could get if Comstock comes roaring back. Kate Cox’s story is unconscionable and horrendous, but she was able to get the abortion she needed in another state. With Comstock in force, there will be no safe states for legal abortion.
The stakes of this presidential election for abortion rights could not be higher. President Biden on his own cannot restore abortion access in states with bans. But he can ensure the country is not plunged back into 1873, when Comstock’s Victorian views on sex and morality trumped every woman’s constitutional and human