laws and as comstock enforced the comstock act in increasingly ludicrous ways, includin for example,ating suppression societs for the suppression of vice like on existence of things like abortion in contraception, that were arresting people for abortion and contracepti w would aware of abortion and contraception. havi said that, of course, in the 19th century, it seems as abortions were actua increasing, use was increasing too. and so there was sort of an uneasy compromise that emerged where americans having abortions and using contraception. but no one was really arguing that there was right to do legal. at the same time,dv that fetuses or unborn childrenere wg that abortion laws were liberal, were unconstitutional either. this was kind of a constitution free zone for some time, and that began to change gradually in pmovement that would have a strong effect on reproductive rights and justice down the road. movement, eugenics, as it concept was a term coined by francis galton, a cousin of charles darwin in the late 19th century. and the idea galton had was that imovtihzc qualities,iv

court justice named william strong comstock went to congress and convinced them to pass the comstock act, which made it a federal crime to. mail any of the items listed or in the comstock act as well as receive them subject to up to several years in prison and a hefty so comstock perspective was different. he wasn't invested in protection of fetal life. he was invested in stopping sex. he argued that the problem with abortion and contraception was that if people knew they would available were available, they would what he called incentives to crime essentially they would be able, as she put it to conceal their sin because they would be able to have sex without consent winces. and so both of these models quickly spread there are state comstock laws. this was an era when for the first time state laws many parts of the nation criminalized birth control, many of them on comstock model. and significantly, there was a close connection between reproductive rights and freedom of speech. comstock model criminalized not only the mailing of items used for things like contraception and abortion,

court justice named william strong comstock went to congress and pass the comstock act, which made itfederal crime or in the comstock act as well as receive them subject to up to several years in prison and a Ñ'hefty so comstock perspective was different. he wasn'tnvested in protection of fetal life. he was invested in stopping with abortion and contraception was that ifle, they would what he called incentives to crime essentially they would be able, as she put it to conceal their sin because they would be able to have sex without consent winces. and so both of these models quickly spread there are state comstock laws. this was an era when for thes many parts of the nation criminalized birth cocomstock model. and significantly, there was a close connectireproductive rights and freedom of speech. comstock model criminalized t only the mailing of items used for things like contraception and abortion but information about one. so there was always a sense that telling people about how you could get these things or how you could do these things was as deeply problematic, in his view, thing

strong comstock went to congress and convinced them to pass the comstock act, whic to. mail any of the items listed or in the com them subject to up to sehefty so comstock n't invested in protection of fetal life. he sex. he argued that the problem with abortion people knew they would available were available, they would what he called incentives to crime essentially they would be able, as she put it to conceal their sin because eywould be able to have sex without consent winces. and so both of these models quickly spread there are state comstock laws. when for the first time state laws many parts of the nation criminalized birth control, many of them on comstock model. and significantly, there was a close connection between reproductive rights and freedom of speech. comstock model criminalized not only the mailing of items used for things like contraception and abortion but information about one. so there was always a sense that telling people abo get these things or how you could do these things was as deeply problematic, in his view, as the doing of the things h cent

indeed, the birth rate continued ementing both bans and many comstock laws and as comstock enforced theact in increasingly[j■> ludicrous ways, including, for example, confiscating the reports to donors of suppression societi fothhis own because they had reported on existence of things like abortion informing people that were arresting people for abortion andbecause then people would awe of abortion and contraception. having said that, of course, in the 19th century, it seemsincres too. and so there was sort of an uneasy compromise that emerged whereriand using contraception. but no one was really arguing that thereeither one or that eid be legal. at the same time,■$ advocates fr abortion bans were arguing that fetuses or unborn childrenrsonsg that abortion either. this was kind of a constitution free zone for some time, and that began to change gradually in part because of another movement that would have a strong effect on reproductive rights and■& justice down the road. the eugenics movement, eugenics, as it concept was a term coined by francis galton, a cousin of charles darwin in th

you argue comstock should be a household name, it is such a policy walk. to someone not following this? >>> first of all, maybe the one silver lining of the arizona trying to briefly bring back this victorian era abortion ban, people know it is a possibility. comstock is this law from 1873, this notorious law by this notoriously prudish anti-vice crusader who took pride on how -- hounding people to their death the burning books, going after great works of literature. it was never repealed, people assumed it was a dead letter, done away with after rulings. when roe was overturned, you heard from antiabortion activist , this is still on the books. the mifepristone ruling you mentioned was originally part of the federal judge who originally tried to say that the fda had to resend its approval of mifepristone said the comstock act was still on the books and the supreme court made a ruling on standing grounds and could still hear another case like this if the people have standing to bring a lawsuit. during arguments, both alito and thomas referred to the comsto

comstock is a federal law and is a federal lawen relatively dormant since the griswold v.d beard after that for single individuals. it's possible an argument could it's certainly being thought of by the justices, perhaps, some of the justices,thers, that if one wants to stop$m in the mail and courier service ofe that comstock would be revitali. but comstock raises another issue that really quickly to get , 1873 which tells us something. abor contraception was not illegal at the foundationing of this country. the pilgrims practiced abortion contraception and in roe v.■çbot that. in 1873, it's a throw after slavery is over. the abortion ban, 1864 right before slavery, comstock, 1873, are all part of a movement that can be read about that were really about the kind eaplaceme. if you stop contraception and you stop that white women will have babies and you of the united st. perhaps that's for another conversation. thank for you that question. alan: here in the front. >> this is julie o'brien. thank you. i've always had this question about where is the separation of church and

the comstock act prohibits thats from being transported in mail and also includes the ban on ane theymifepristone comstock was brought up several times though the justice disnot mention it md certainly could be interpreted as some gnaling that was taking place.a federal law and s a federal law that's been dormae v. wade, legalizing isenstat and beard after that for se individuals. it's possible an argument could be made. it's certainly being thought of by the jces, perhaps, some of the justices, and others, that if one was to stop the in the mail and courier service distribution of■ mifepristone that comstock would be the act to revitdo so. but comstock raises another that really quickly to get at, that's 1873ch abortion and contraception was not illegal at the foundationing of this country. abortion contraception ando÷ in roe v. we .ustice blackmon talks about in 1873, it's a tiny stone's is over. the abortion ban, 1864 right before slavery, comstock, 1873, are all part of a movement that really about the kind of fear of replacement. if you and you stop abortion, that means that whit

we don't think there any cases with respect to the comstock act that's relevant here the comstock act of thatl is pretty clear. >> when did you raise the comstock act? >> i believe the comstt was first raised in the district court but wehi exhaustion does not apply for two reasons. first it was futile as fda's adoption goes. this is a whole other kettle of fish if you look at section 704 adoptions, excuse me adoption is only required in some instances eithstatute or agency rule with pending litigation. this is consistent withase of derby the lower court give soliciting opinion we think a better reading at 704 is that there's no exhaustion required unless the statute or agency rules are preceding during judicial review. >> justice and? may i ask your view of traceability and one understanding i want you to tell if you agree with this. beyond proving whatever injury you are tryingo prove that you have to show that the injury is traceabltohe 2016 and fda actions that you are challenging. of course data showing that these incidents that you are talking ab the emergency-room are caused by

they say they will enforce the comstock act. believe them. jonathan f.ell said we don't need a federal abortion ban when we have comstock in the books. you argue that co mstock should be a household name. how do you explain it? >> first of all, maybe the one silver lining. this is the law from 1863, this law by the notoriously prudish anti-vice crusader who took pride on hounding people to their deaths. and imprisoning people. burning books. some of the great works of literature. but it was never repealed. people had just assumed it was a dead letter. on free speech, birth control and abortion. but when roe v. wade was overturned you start hearing from anti-abortion activists. this is still on the books. the mifepristone ruling that you mentioned. supreme court made the ruling on standing ground so they could still hear another case if they decide the people have standing to bring the suit. and during arguments, you had alito and thomas refer to the comstock act. often they will refer to it by its number in the criminal code. similarly, in the 2025 proje

there are criminal penalties attached to the comstock laws.est people and prosecute people for mailing abortion drugs. >> they may not even have to go that far. i think the lesson is that you can terrorize people into not doing anything just by having a law and having the threat out there that somebody could be criminally prosecuted for doing something. >> the comstock act, this is not a hypothetical. there are lots of folks in right-wing circles writing about and talking about this. lisa rubin, thank you. >> thank you. >> that is "all in" on this thursday night. alex wagner starts now. >> good evening. there are women already terrified making choices about bodily economy. >> certainly. >> fear at all levels of american society. thank you, my friend. >>> today donald trump made his first visit to capitol hill. the first time since his followers ransacked the capital on january 6. to unde

wade regime, but in a post-dobbs universe, what is the enforceability of the comstock act?t's a question that the biden administration doesn't want to answer and doesn't have to answer. they've essentially said we're not going to enforce the comstock act and believe that the food, drug, and koz mikt act has given the fda the authority to continued use of these drugs and we will continue to do everything we can to make mifepristone available under federal law. in a world where power changes rapidly, one of the things that those who brought this case would love to see happen in the absence of being able to accomplish their objectives through this case is enforceability of the comstock act. you may also see a number of states more aggressively say, well, wait a second, if the supreme court is not going to save us and say that mifepristone was inappropriately approved or that that approval was inappropriately expanded when women got greater access to mifepristone, for example, earlier in their pregnancies, well, then we as red state who is believe abortion should be illegal, we

why are you introducing the stop comstock act? >> thank you, jonathan.u. i want to raise awareness about this plan by these maga republican extremist divan access to abortion medication without ever having an act of congress. this is an outdated law that has been ignored by folks as a zombie law for decades and decades, and now come to find out that these extremists are using it as a way to ban abortion. i don't want people in states like minnesota and nevada and places where they feel as if their reproductive rights are protected by state law to understand that there is this plan to take away those rights without any action of congress. and i think that this is a mobilizing issue for people. and frankly, people are really angry when they hear about it. >> the architects and trump's project 2025 shared his stance on abortion yesterday. listen to what he said on msnbc. >> why are we talking about -- >> i just want to know, -- >> until three days after the person is born. this is an absurd freedom. >> that's an absurd of assertion. >> does heritage and pro

the democratic senator tina smith who introduced a bill yesterday to repeal the comstock act told "theington post", quote, there is a very clear, well-organized plan afoot by the maga republicans to use comstock as a tool to ban medication abortion and potentially all abortions. my job is to take that tool away, end quote. joining us now is the democratic senator tina smith of minnesota -- of minneapolis -- i'm sorry, of the state of minnesota. she served as executive vice president of planned parenthood in minnesota, north dakota, and south dakota, senator, good to see you, thank you for being with us. >> thank you, it's great to be with you again. >> people have heard this issue percolate for a little while, but let's just go back to the beginning. the comstock act was an attempt to regulate morality through restrictions on, for instance, sending things that were deemed to be pornographic through the mail system, which is a federal system. how do -- what's that got to do with medication abortion? >> well, exactly. so here you have this 150-year-old zombie law that was designed by the

the comstock act is the ultimate zombie law and it was understood for many decades that the comstockct had no effect as it applied to the sending through the mail. the biden administration has made clear they do not believe the comstock act needs to be enforced unless the intent is to help somebody accomplish something that would be unlawful and given that mail- order prescription of mifepristone is lawful, the interpretation is there's nothing to be done. in a different administration, you can count on the same folks who brought this litigation to press that heavily with the department of justice. >> we are not talking civil but there are criminal penalties. the department of justice could conceivably on day one start having the fbi arrest and prosecute people for mailing abortion drugs. >> they may not even have to go that far as you can terrorize people into not doing anything just by having a law and having the threat that somebody could be criminally prosecuted for doing something. >> this is not hypotheticals. there are people writing and talking about this. it's mentioned a pr

it's why we call it stop the comstock act. let me bring it home. this is the two year anniversary of the overturning of roe versus wade which we all remember where we were. i remember exactly where i was at that moment and it went to supreme court steps and protested and outraged by so many. it wasn't the opinion that said, let's leave it to the states. what we have seen is that opinion open the door to not only invoking state's rights but overturning states rights and allowing states to criminalize women if they want to travel, criminalize doctors in states like nevada if they want to help women with their health care needs when it comes to reproductive freedom, to stop contraception, stop access to mifepristone which we just talked about. to stop ivf. i could go on and on. it's a concerted effort of the right wing with the help of donald trump to do what they can to prevent women's freedoms in this country when it comes to reproductive rights. that is what this is about and they will not stop and you have to look at that manifesto which is what i

so we think the plaintext is very clear. >> when did you first raise t comstock act? >> i think it was first raised district court. we think exhaustion does not apply for two reasons. firsitould be legally futile . this is a whole another kettle of fish. if you look at section 704, exhaustion is only requid two instances. this is consistent. the lower court haveaken opinions. there is no is often required or agency will that stays the preceding. >> pi ask about the traceability of it all? i want you to tell me if you agree with ts derstanding. even beyond proving whatever injury you are par--hatever injury you are trying to prove, you have to shift that injury is traceable to the 2016 and 2021 fdactions that you are challenging and of course at means showing that these incidents you are talkin about in the emergency room are caused by whatever incremental increase and risk there is as rult. i guess my first question is do you agree with that statement? what do you need tsh? and if you do, how do you satisfy that? why do you satisfy that? twice we bie that we need to s

when did y fst raise the comstock act? >> i think it was firstaid in district court. we think exhaustion does not apply for two reasons. first it would be legally futile . this is a whole another kettle ofish. if you look at secon 704, exhaustion ionly required in two instances. this is consistent. the lower court have taken opinions. there is no is often required or agency will that stays the preceding. >> pi ask about the traceability of it all? i want you to tell me if you ree with this understanding. even beyond proving whatever injuryou are part -- whatever injury you are trying to prove, you have to shift that injury is traceable to the 20 a 2021 fda actions that you are challenginanof course that means showing that these incidentyoare talking aut in the emergency room are caused by whatever incremental increase and riskhe is as a result. i guess myir question is do you agr wh that statement? wh dyou need to show? and if youo, how do you satisfy that? why do you satisfyha twice we believe that we need show the 2016 and 2020 one action increase the risk of harm.

what you make of this push to repeal comstock? >> i think it is smart even if it is just a messaging bill because it signals yet another fault line between them when it comes to protecting access to reproductive health care. i think the one thing that we have to remember is that comstock gained a lot of traction this spring or last spring during oral arguments related to the case where the justice really brought it up as a reasonable avenue for blocking access to this prescription medication. i think that raised the flag for democrats to revisit this and it comes on the heels of the arizona state supreme court allowing in 1864 law to go into effect, which was with a to to an abortion ban that even though the governor passed a bill to repeal it still for a few days took affect. all of this is coming back to a reality of what tools could be deployed by trump and congressional republicans in a reality where they potentially have control of the white house and congress. i think this again is an opportunity for them to really lay out f

justice alit suldn't the fda considered the application of the comstock provisions? ms. prelogar: i think it does not fall under that lane. the fda can maintain strictions if it is necessary to ensure safe use. in 2020 one what they determined it is that you do not need in person dispensing so the ftca dinot require that restriction and it could not be imposed. the fda was not approving, mailing in violation of comstock even if u terpret that and we do not think it means what the respondents suggested means. but d't not it was the fda's responsibility to consider that. justice alito: it did not say anhing about it and this is a prominent provision. it is not some obscure subsection of a colited obscure law. they knew about it, everybody in the field knew about it, shl't they address it. you have answers to the guments made on the others, should the fda said we he considered that and provide some sort of an explanation? ms. prelogar: let me give two responses, it would not have been permissible for the fda to consider maintaining that stction because of comstock. if you l

now i will flip it to dahlia to talk about the comstock act. >> very quickly, the comstock act is a zombie law. we thought it was defunct, it was an anti-vice statute that allowed the government to path through the mail and sees biography or, included in the things that could be seized, things that caused abortion. we have not been forced to do. it is considered something that has been dead for a very long time. and yet we are seeing, by the way,, and oral argument in this very case that may be the comstock act is operative and maybe it has applications for this case. we have expressly heard from people who want to see it in a republican administration invoked immediately not just to go after abortion pills but the kinds of devices that are used in surgical abortions that also have to travel through the mail. i think we just need to be very, very clear and this goes to the ways in which these zombie was from the 19th century are coming back to life and being cited as though they are good law, that this law on day one could be, could have new life breathed into it and be used to say okay, t

but comstock raises another issue that reallyly 1873 which tells us something. abortion and contraception was not illegal at the foundationing the pilgrims practiced contraception and in roe v. wade justice blackmon talks about that. in tiny stone's throw after slavery is over. ban, 1864 right before slavery comstock, 1873, are all part of a movement that can be read about that were realhe kind of fear of replacement. if you stop contraception abortion, that means that white women will have babies can forestall the browning of the united through the freedom that black people have gained. perhap thank for you that question. alan: heont. >> this isul nice to meet you all. thank you. i've question about where is the separation of church and state and w from that aspect because it seems like this is so blatantly abusing that, and i don't understand why it's not come up more? erin: law and religion is my the supreme court has essentially read the of the constitution is the answer there, and in a series of very recent decisions the court has held that states money fro

it's the comstock act. remains on the books and bans sending drugs or implements that could be used for abortion through the mail. trump allies have said they plan to start enforcing it if he wins in november. that would ban mifepristone from being sent to any woman in this country across state lines with no help from kavanaugh and friends. and the legislative process kavanaugh mentioned has left millions of women in 14 states with total abortion bans and three states with six-week bans before most women even know they're pregnant. another dozen or so states have laws limiting how mifepristone can be prescribed. this isn't the end of the line. three states previously joined the case seeking to restrict access to the drug and now they're in a position to bring this case back to the court after doing the homework that justice kavanaugh assigned. notably, there was one concurrent and it wasn't from the upside down flag owner, justice alito. it came from the court's other political activist, clarence thomas. hi

justice alito: shoul't the fda considered the application of the comstock provisions? ms. prelogar: i think it does not fall under that lane. the fda can maintain restctns if it is necessary to ensure safe use. in 2020 one what they determined ithat you do not need in person dispensing so the ftca did noreire that restriction and it could not be imposed. the fda was not approving, mailing in violation of comstock even if you interethat and we do not think it means what the respondents suggested means. but i don't t it was the fda's responsibility to consider that. justice alito: it did not say anythi aut it and this is a prominent provision. its not some obscure subsection of a complicate obscure law. they knew about it, everybody in the field knew about it, shouldn't ey address it. you have answers to the arguntmade on the others, should the fda said we have considered that and provide some sort of an explanation? msprelogar: let me give two responses, it would not have been permissible for the fda to consider maintaining that restrictn cause of comstock. if you look at t

the comstock act passed more than 150 years ago was the result of one man's crusaid against everythinging anything or article intended for the prevention of conception or procuring an abortion. republicans know that voters don't support a nationwide abortion ban so reviving this zombie law is the easiest to get a way. joaning me is becca vallen from the budget committee. congresswoman, a pleasure to have you on the show talk us through the zombie law and how dangerous it would be for women's rights? >> you had a man in the 1870s. he had a crusade against everything he deemed to be obseen, including any material used in abortion or contraception. this has not been a luthat has been enforced for a long time. you have in project 2025, the republican playbook for a second trump term which is -- they are not being secret about it. they are saying we are bringing back the law and we will use it to stop every single avenue for abortion and also for contraception. this is the playbook. it is happening in legislatures across the country, trying to restrict access from full reproductive healthca

the justice department wrote in 2022 the comstock act would not limit abortion pills. minister benjamin netanyahu continue to spar over claims that the united states has withheld arms from israel. ones netanyahu made the allegation suggesting the white house is slowing down his rafah operation. the biden administration, however, refuted the claim saying only one shipment of heavy bombs was held back in may. yesterday white house national security spokesperson john kirby told reporters that he's disappointed with netanyahu's comments, adding that it was, quote, perplexing. the prime minister responded on social media writing, quote, i'm ready to suffer personal attacks provided that israel receives the ammunition it needs for its resistance. meanwhile another high profile democrat is criticizing netanyahu's efforts ahead of the upcoming joint address to congress. she told the hill yesterday that netanyahu has created a, quote, humanitarian disaster. warren also believes the white house should not give more weapons to israel, saying the arms transfers are not helping eff

what do you make of this push to repeal comstock?it is smart even if it is just a messaging bill because it signifies another fault line between democrats and republicans when it comes to accessing reproductive health care. it really gained a lot of traction last spring during oral arguments related to the mifepristone case where justice alito really brought it up as a reasonable avenue for blocking access to this prescription medication. and so i think that raised a flag for democrats to revisit this and this comes on the heels of the arizona state supreme court allowing an 1864 law to go into effect which was related to an abortion ban which though the governor passed a bill to repeal it, still, for a few days, took effect. and so all of this is coming back to a reality of what tools could be deployed by trump and congressional republicans in a reality where they potentially have control of the white house and congress. and so i think this again is an opportunity for democrats to really lay out for voters to understand what that th

once a friend's theory, comstock has woven its way into conversations all the way up to the nation's highest court. >> this is a prominent provision. it's not some obscure subsection of a complicated, obscure law. >> they they knew about it. everybody in this field knew about it. >> all laying the groundwork for the self-described, most pro-life president in american history. should he win a second term despite his current political message, will have significant authority on abortion issues if he's an office, something he made very clear just one year ago, there. of course, remains a vital role for the federal government in protecting unborn life. and aaron, we saw the political balance. the former president is trying to strike just earlier this week, speaking at an event for a group that claims to want to eradicate abortion. the former president getting two minutes virtual remarks. that's showing up in person, not actually saying the word abortion at all, but making clear that he stood side-by-side with them and that's a critical point here when you talk about the messaging, it's t

but if this next supreme court rules on the comstock act or if the next president decides to enforce the comstock act, we could ban contraception is soon as next year. >> and all of this happening, of course, in the shadow of a huge election coming up and in november. >> yes, and abortion and trans healthcare will certainly be things that people are thinking about when they cast their votes. we do know that abortion has been winning in the polls. it is more popular now than it ever has been. i think we should anticipate politicians responding to that. and we just advise voters make sure you read between the lines, look at people's records because politicians are often willing to shift their messages to win. that doesn't always necessarily follow through with material policies that we need to see to it to really protect these rights. so don't necessarily just listen to the messaging to your own investigating. >> all right. that's good advice. all right, grace, thank you so much for your time. we appreciate it. thanks a lot. in other news, mcdonald's has a partly closed its location at

of anything, they introduced the comstock act. you heard two very conservative justices talking about the comstock act, which is their plan to banned abortion pills. you have to always assume this court is going to do the most conservative thing and when they don't, there is no reason to celebrate. >> just for our viewers, the comstock act is an 1873 act that bans the distribution of any material that might be used in an abortion and it is still on the books. it just has not been used in a long time. all the trump administration would have to do is start reinforcing it. >> they are clearly ready to go with it. >> ruth, project 2025, the fascist playbook, if you will, you pointed out many times in the past that judges and the judiciary are often prime targets for authoritarians seeking to consolidate their power. why is that? why are they so focused on courts? >> well, because, totalitarianism in its essence is replacing the rule of law with rule by the lawless and making the leader and the party he controls like his personal tool,

it's very clear that's a reference to the comstock act, an 18, 73 law that bans the mailing the drugs and tools used in abortion. >> the law held no weight. well, roe was on the books. trump has declined to answer whether he'd used the law despite promising in april to release a statement within two weeks, but a trump doj could weigh a series of interpretations from choosing to prosecute anyone who sends or receives mifepristone, which is used in roughly two-thirds of nature she might abortions are going as far as to restrict the mailing of any supplies used in surgical abortions, effectively, a total ban on the procedure if we were to have an administration that would actually enforce the comstock act then we could see every abortion facility in america shut down mark lee dickson is one of the key anti-abortion activists responsible for promoting the comstock act, lobbying dozens of cities to outlaw abortion through local enforcement of the law. >> his partner in that effort is former texas solicitor general, jonathan mitchell, author of texas of strict anti-abortion law, and trump's

. >>> and now joining us, donna edwards, from maryland and barbara comstock, and they serve togetherissue one council or election integrity. congresswoman edwards, two years after roe was overturned, now we have that patch work of ant anti-abortion laws. how do you see the landscape of the election. >> i think the landscape has been forever altered after the dobbs decision. we see some states that already had access to abortion and legal access to abortion are doubling down on protecting providers, on providing services to out-of-state women seeking an abortion. and i think that it has changed the political calculation. abortion is a motivating issue and i think for democrats in particular, that largely not paid attention to abortion rights during the election cycle, this is a defining issue and i think that the biden campaign, biden-harris campaign are right on the money when it comes to doubling down on protecting abortion rights. >>> congresswoman comstock, just this past welcome, former president trump took credit for overturning roe. he credited his conservative supreme court ju

i'm also watching the comstock act. this is a law from the 1800's. it's anti vice law and it made it a crime to ship obscene materials through the and how they're defining obscene materials that included contraception, even medical textbook sometimes. yeah, because right. the whole obscenity. i know when i see it kind of thing right? >> what actually can go back to how did you need to be thing? what it what did you mean by that? can you explain a little more? >> know, it's a it's a sort of shocking collection of words. what's happening in this case that comes out of idaho. idaho has passed some of the most rigid abortion bans in the country. and where it used to be pretty standard to include exceptions to these bands for things like your health, more and more states are carving out health and limiting it to life. only so let's not having your emergency. abortion care could result in sepsis, you could lose a leg. you're still going to be alive. so it's not okay or not. okay. those are the kinds of things we're trying to carve out. in some cases. this

and the blinking is in comstock to drum up support for the initiative. is that some of the propose changes from a mazda a workable while all those ones are on monday, the un security council endorsed the proposal, call it on both as well, and how much to enact it immediately without conditions, but fighting has come to cause us health ministry, which is controlled by how boss says another 14 people were killed and is really a tax on wednesday of the that's i'll take a closer look at the original deal that lincoln is trying to get all sides to sign up to is made up of 3 phases and the 1st comes the release of some hostages, the return of palestinian prisoners, a partial troop withdrawal under a 6 week troops. the 2nd that includes a permanency is 5. that would mean the full withdrawal of israeli forces from the gaza strip. the 3rd phase would focus on a plan to rebuild garza. there is a massive pressure on these rather on time us to approve the un backed cease fire proposal full garza early up the middle east unless simon maple. and that's lancaster unive

the line between plastic and the job. finished goods are keilar to the email is august on tiny house comstock width in depth conversations, booking and of course music and vans on d w when you can't smell anything or when everything smells the range of smell related disorders has increased since corona virus. how important is all sense of smell and what's his life like when it's gone in 45 minutes on d, w, we are all set and we're watching closely in the we can use the story behind the news. we're room about unbiased information for free by the just on the list locked, isn't it interesting because some companies cynthia, good . ready ready calling music, it's me, it's just cheap speakers sell it. you'll find this unusual combination in steven invited to a tiny house.

the justice department wrote in 2022 that the comstock act would not prohibit the mailing of abortiontecting but not talking about because then republicans might notice it just seems a little fanciful for me. i mean this is a world in which everybody is looking at every possible tool they can use to achieve their ends. the idea that the comstock act has gone under the radar doesn't seem to fly to me. >> yeah, i don't really get that. it's pretty clear to me that the extreme movement of the republican party around this issue is not going anywhere. they have huge part of the republican party has been the overturning of roe and that energy and those networks aren't stopping now. they're not going to stop until they get a nationwide ban. i don't think they'll stop until they really wipe out ivf. they clearly in my state the law is written would in fact say that anybody who is using ivf and an egg that had been fertilized was destroyed that in fact would be unlawful in my state because there's no exceptions and life begins with conception. we're a personhood state. so they're not stopping.

let's start with the comstock act. what is it, and why is it so important to take action on it now?well, thank you for having me, reverend, and as you just outlined, this is a law that republicans have signalled that they are going to use to -- as a back door attempt to ban abortion nationwide. and honestly, this is just more of what we've seen since the dobbs decision. roe is not the end. we knew that they were never going to stop from. they are going to do everything and anything that they can to control our bodies, our lives, our personal healthcare decisions. and it's great to see senate leaders, i would say, note, driven by democratic pro-choice women working to repeal this law, but the truth is that if we really want to fully restore reproductive freedom, and if we want to return these freedoms that have been stripped from millions of americans across the country, we have to secure pro-choice majorities at every level of the ballot. that's what's going to be at stake in this election in november. >> now, monday marks the second anniversary of the dobbs decision that the conser

republicans want to enforce a long ignored 19th-century law called the comstock act which could ban thetion pills nationwide. the extreme blueprint for a second trump term from the heritage foundation. one democratic lawmaker is fighting back with a bill to repeal the law. senator tina smith calls the comstock act a backdoor national abortion band and warns it is too dangerous to leave this law on the books. joining me now is the democratic senator from the great state of minnesota, tina smith. senator, great to see you. thank you for coming to the sunday show. senate republicans have already bought bills protecting access to contraception and ivf. why are you introducing this act? >> thank you, it is so good to be with you. i want to raise awareness of how there is this plan by maga extremists to ban access to abortion without going through congress. now come to find out these extremists are planning to use it as a way of banning abortion. i want people in states like minnesota and nevada to understand that there is this plan to take away those rights without any action of congress. i

issue in the hands of the voters who will decide whether to elect someone who wants to enforce the comstock act or someone who doesn't. >> not settling it before the election also helps republicans you know this is a losing issue for them. there is not a tremendous amount of smoke and mirrors when it comes to the gun lobby and i wonder what your reaction to the ruling on bump stocks is, especially in light of the ruling they're going to make about whether domestic abusers should have access to firearms. >> i would say not just that ruling, but what i find disturbing is, first of all, on the merits it is a ridiculous, highly technical argument about what a machine gun is and whether the function, the single function of the trigger is about what your finger does or what the internal mechanics of the gun does. i think sotomayor had it right when she said something to the effect of if it looks like a duck day >> of it looks like a machine gun and behaves like a machine gun, it is a machine gun. >> not only that, but machine guns are illegal and a separate law from the 60s makes implements that

i'm also watching the comstock act. this is a law from the 1800's. crime to ship obscene materials through the and how they're defining obscene materials that included contraception, even medical textbook sometimes. yeah, because right. the whole of sanity. i know when i see it kind of thing, right? what actually can go back to how did you need to be thing? what it what did you mean by that? can you explain a little more? >>you know, it's a it's a sort of shocking collection of words. what's happening in this case that comes out of idaho. idaho has passed some of the most rigid abortion bans in the and where it used to be pretty standard to include exceptions to these bands for things like your health, more and more states are carving out health and limiting it to life. only so let's not having your emergency. abortion care could result in sepsis, you could lose a leg. you're still going to be alive. so it's not okay or not. okay. those are the kinds of things we're trying to carve out. in some cases. this is literally life and death stuff. you have

future republican president who actually takes a different approach to an old federal law called the comstock act which i don't think could fairly be interpreted, but which republicans are there could be interpreted to ban mail and mifepristone. so wealth, i think this is a very much a sort of short-term jury, but there's still quite a lot to play for when it comes to access to mifepristone in states that allow it kavanaugh wrote in the decision that today's decision, today's decision that if somebody else has standing, go ahead. >> i mean the, decision was about standing. it wasn't about the use of mifepristone, whether it's safe, whether the fda has been too loose et cetera, et cetera. and kavanaugh made it clear. i think and you guys are the legal experts? that while these folks did not have standing, that doesn't mean that somebody else couldn't bring a case that did have standing and that has yet to be decided. >> i think this is gonna be a theme we're going to see you all for over these last three weeks of the current supreme court term, that there are a series of cases where one lower-

treading the line between plastic and the job. finish can kinda come e mail is august on tiny house comstock width in depth conversations cooking. and of course i'm using the unveiled next on d, w. it's time for visionary for sustainability. but also for horsepower. the, it's time for the mobile revolution. in 60 minutes on d. w. the world of free speech, free trial, and open access to free information for every don't readings. so let's take action. hello. don't use global, easier for him. 2020 for a bunch of any practice to know about his appearance from all over the world, waiting to share their solutions and to shape tomorrow and join us and register now for the dw global media for in 2020 for the i'm just, i'm the, the list the bottom locked is a car interesting because some companies lots of deals for . ready ready classical music, it's me, it's just detroit sell it. you'll find this unusual combination in steven 5 to as tiny how.

i've come to the capital into comstock to meet the 25 year old christian johnson. from 2018. he worked for almost 2 years as a decade on a chinese squids vessel called b. u e t. 5 to reach you is fine to thank you for coming. his experience on board the ship was so hiring that he never wants to work in fishing again. when miss neal's somebody wanting to see them disability. hello my. so let me know all i need to get down to go see a and up and by the, in a piece of the law. obviously the that'd be good for me and unity. i load the only thing and what's the uh, the loose and beauty of all of you possibly can see me come uh you don't need to call him somebody could do for me while i'm waiting for them. and somebody can william what he says, frequent beating schemes without wanting you to i'm guessing was he oh no, no they go through them through some work in the summer. pretty good. can i get a couple of the young couple of people i it'd be not down to a level but split the 2 but with the promise monthly salary of $300.00. yes. and i'm escalates. were willing to put up with its

there has been a lot of discussion of an act called comstock, which is a very old law, but prohibits the shipment of things used for abortion through the mail. and i think there were a lot of questions about whether that would come up here because there are questions about whether that could be used at some point in the future to restrict access to abortion in particularly abortion through telemedicine, through using medication, abortion. so we'll have to see, does that sort of come back into the conversation and where does that go? going forward, but no, this was not currently legal in states with abortion bans yeah, mega is such important context. thank you so much for the glory. i didn't want to go back to you on political dimension and all of this. can you imagine what the political impact would have been in the heat of those presidential campaign, had the supreme court tossed mifepristone overboard well, it would have been cataclysmic. i mean, the democrats obviously the issue there, campaigning the most on is the dobbs decision. and the throwing out of the right to abortion thi

clothes treading the line between plastic and the job. finished kind of can email is august on tiny house comstock width in depth conversations, cooking and of course music and vans. coming up on d w. how many of you speak more than 2 languages? at least 2 or more languages. we used to be taught to speak english, why we, we can from becky ground of speaking, hey, we have embrace. and so i mean, what do you do you lose you? i just simply by learning a level language, when i speak english, i said they can do this, pressing this 7 to 7 in 30 minutes on the w, the world of free speech, free open access to free information for every stop dreaming. next, take action detail use globally easier for them 2024 in bunch of any register now autism and it's from all over the world on waiting to share their solutions and to shape tomorrow. join us and register now for the dw global media for in 2024. what is it really is possible to reverse page researchers and scientists all over the world for you know, race against time. they are peers and rivals with one daring goals to help smart nature. the more like watch

federal mackey chair and director of middle east studies at the university of oklahoma or a gentleman comstock rolls in effect. that means you can jump any time you want. and i always appreciate joshua if i go to you 1st, what do you make of the us secretary of state? we had the u. s. president at the end of last month, suddenly bizarrely announcing a potential ceasefire agreement that was came from israel came from the is re lease, but he is introducing it. and then we had the secretary of state go on his 8th trip to the middle east. i don't know why you have to keep going. if you're not getting any success, why don't you keep.

well co c on quantity comstock. so look at this of prescription, that amount on that are pretty much it on the all set. i last thought they looked it up to run the list, securities equal minus those you may see some people going to need much of it. my just because it was a cash deputy to realizing the plugged us if you have a measure that they're free, i learned a little more to remind you to say today of all the call numbers on local menu or to the composite kind of what it is that the kind of easy is one like.

treading the line between plastic and the job. finished kind of can e mail is august on tiny house comstock. width in depth conversations, cooking and of course, music unveiled. 30 minutes. w. haven for russian money. money belonging to put in his country jones is set to be hidden away in switzerland . disappoint you. sanctions private. jeff mentioned this secret bank accounts a paradise for collective cross and war criminals on the trail of a legal, russian billions in switzerland. in 75 minutes on d, w, the this shadows these costs and video shed light on the dog is devastating. colonial harper is infected by germany across and he employed the scorched post, tactic farms and destroyed lights. what is the legacy of this wide spread races? depression today, the screen we need to talk about the stories. shadows of german colonialism, runs small steps for a robot vacuum. one giant leap for exploiting the ocean floor. cutting edge technology is unlocking the potential of d t mining. but this time, the research team will study the possible risk response in order to minimize the we have an oppor

the american university in moscow and director of the rising tide foundation of canada. gentlemen, comstock girls, in effect, that means he can jump any time you want. and i always appreciate danielle, let me go to you 1st. i mean i, i woke up this morning finding out that you and i were the same enemies west. okay . i still, again, um you and i uh seemed to be highly profile than these enemies list. again, another one of these lists that are funded by the us government. good money. i used in this fashion tax k or a pay or money, your thoughts a? well, i'm just obviously hanging out with a route wrong crowd. i go to the bathroom close on me honey. i think this time they may have stepped on it a little bit because um, you know, there were 390 some of the prominent americans, myself. excluded of course. but you're talking about donald trump, you on musk, tucker carlson, you know, and the fact that this uh, organization um text is affiliated with the us government through the us state department. and with the project they did together and through the usa id, which funds in a project with them,