Stop Comstock Act
Sponsored By: Senator Tina Smith
Introduced
Summary
This bill would rewrite federal obscenity and import law to redefine what counts as 'obscene' or 'indecent'. It also strips some abortion-related language from tariff rules and updates cross-references in federal obscenity statutes.
Show full summary
- Families and consumers: Removes the statutory term "indecent" and related phrasing in several 18 U.S.C. provisions, changing which materials are described and targeted under federal obscenity rules.
- Online platforms and speech law: Edits Sections 1461 and 1462 of Title 18 and shifts cross-references to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act from subsection (e)(2) to (f)(2), altering how obscenity rules connect to platform-related legal text.
- Importers and customs: Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 Section 305(a) by striking references to "immoral" imports and earlier abortion-related provisos, revising the tariff language that governs certain prohibited or excepted items.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Narrow obscenity rules for publishers
If enacted, this bill would narrow several federal laws so they cover only “obscene” material instead of broader words like “indecent” or “immoral.” It would change criminal and tariff language in multiple federal statutes (including changes to 18 U.S.C. and the Tariff Act) so postal, customs, and carriers would use the narrower standard. Publishers, distributors, carriers, and importers would face fewer federal bans and tariff exclusions. These changes would take effect upon enactment if the bill becomes law.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Tina Smith
MN • D
Cosponsors
Tammy Baldwin
WI • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Richard Blumenthal
CT • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Cory Booker
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Catherine Cortez Masto
NV • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Tammy Duckworth
IL • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
John Fetterman
PA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Kirsten Gillibrand
NY • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Mazie Hirono
HI • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Angus King
ME • I
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Jeff Merkley
OR • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Christopher Murphy
CT • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Alex Padilla
CA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
John Reed
RI • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Jacky Rosen
NV • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Brian Schatz
HI • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Adam Schiff
CA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Jeanne Shaheen
NH • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Mark Warner
VA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Elizabeth Warren
MA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sheldon Whitehouse
RI • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Maggie Hassan
NH • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Timothy Kaine
VA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
John Hickenlooper
CO • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Martin Heinrich
NM • D
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Andy Kim
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Michael Bennet
CO • D
Sponsored 4/29/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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