Stop Comstock Act
Sponsored By: Senator Smith, Tina [D-MN]
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
Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
John Hickenlooper
CO • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 4/29/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov