Todd Blanche Suggests He Is Open to Using the DOJ to Restrict Mailing the Abortion Pill

Antiabortion Republican senators scored a major win from embattled acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during his contentious confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Justice. Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz used Wednesday's hearing to press Blanche to restrict access to the abortion pil…

By Roxanne Szal July 17, 2026 1 min read

Antiabortion Republican senators scored a major win from embattled acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during his contentious confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Justice.

Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz used Wednesday's hearing to press Blanche to restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone, and Blanche ultimately agreed to revisit the current Department of Justice interpretation of the 1873 Comstock Act, which allows the nationwide mailing of the abortion pill under certain circumstances.

The post Todd Blanche Suggests He Is Open to Using the DOJ to Restrict Mailing the Abortion Pill appeared first on Ms. Magazine.

Why this matters

The suggestion by Todd Blanche to revisit the Department of Justice interpretation of the 1873 Comstock Act has significant implications for abortion access nationwide. If the DOJ were to restrict the mailing of mifepristone, it could severely limit access to abortion care, particularly in states with limited abortion providers. This move would also highlight the ongoing patchwork of abortion laws across the US, where access varies greatly from state to state. The National Abortion Federation Hotline and the Repro Legal Helpline remain crucial resources for individuals seeking abortion care and navigating the complex legal landscape. As the situation unfolds, it will be essential to monitor how any changes to the Comstock Act interpretation affect abortion access and how states respond to potential federal restrictions. The impact on states with already restrictive abortion laws, as well as those with more permissive laws, will be closely watched.

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