Todd Blanche, nominee for Deputy Attorney General, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday regarding his potential role at the Department of Justice. During the hearing, lawmakers questioned Blanche on his interpretation of the Comstock Act, an 1873 law that prohibits the mailing of 'obscene' materials and items used for abortion.
When asked by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) whether he would use the Act to prosecute those who mail mifepristone, a legal abortion pill, Blanche stated he would review the law. He told the committee that he would consult with career officials at the Department of Justice and evaluate the current legal standing of the statute before making enforcement decisions.
The Comstock Act has been a point of contention between reproductive rights advocates and anti-abortion groups. Critics of the law argue it is obsolete and superseded by modern regulations, while some legal analysts suggest it could be used by a future administration to restrict access to medication abortion nationwide without new legislation from Congress.
Blanche, who previously served as a federal prosecutor and as defense counsel for Donald Trump, did not commit to a specific enforcement strategy during the session. He emphasized his commitment to following the law and Department of Justice guidelines if confirmed to the position.