Arizona House Republicans Reject Bill to Repeal Long-Standing Abortion Ban
In a recent setback, Arizona House Republicans have rejected a bill aimed at repealing the state's historic abortion ban, which has been in place for 160 years. This decision comes shortly after the state Supreme Court stirred up controversy by reinstating the law, causing a stir in Arizona's political landscape.
The Arizona House of Representatives, which is controlled by Republicans, once again did not succeed in moving forward with a repeal of the state's 160-year-old abortion ban on Wednesday. This comes after the state Supreme Court caused a stir in state politics by bringing back the law.
This unsuccessful vote is seen as a setback for reproductive rights and also for GOP candidates in competitive races. These candidates, including former President Donald Trump and US Senate candidate Kari Lake, have been working to distance themselves from the court's decision. They are urging the GOP-controlled legislature to collaborate with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs to find a more moderate approach.
Lawmakers voted not to discuss a bill that would repeal Arizona's 1864 ban on abortions after two unsuccessful attempts on Wednesday. The representatives were evenly split in their votes, prompting the chair to make the tie-breaking decision. As a result, the bill was not brought up for a vote on the House floor.
House Speaker Ben Toma expressed his concern about rushing a bill through the legislative process to repeal a law that has been approved multiple times by the legislature. If the 1864 law is repealed, Arizona would go back to a 15-week abortion restriction that was signed into law in 2022 by former Republican Governor Doug Ducey. Despite the state court delaying enforcement of the ban for at least 14 days to allow for legal challenges, abortions are currently still permitted in Arizona.
The ban on the procedure only allows it in cases where the pregnant person's life is at risk, and those who provide it could face prison sentences ranging from two to five years.
If the 1864 law is implemented, Arizona would become one of 14 states that have enacted nearly complete abortion bans, with some not even allowing exceptions for victims of rape or incest.
State lawmakers recently cut short a House session to prevent the repeal of the abortion ban. Additionally, House Republicans' general counsel outlined a plan in a leaked memo to counteract a potential abortion rights ballot initiative.
Arizona Democrats, aiming to gain control of the state House and Senate currently dominated by Republicans, wasted no time in pointing out the unsuccessful repeal. State Sen. Priya Sundareshan, co-chair of the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, emphasized the importance of flipping control of the chambers in light of the vote.
She stated, "We need to establish clear laws on abortion access to prevent further interference from Republicans in our medical choices."
A recent poll by the Wall Street Journal in March, conducted prior to the state Supreme Court decision, revealed that 59% of registered voters in Arizona support legal abortion in most or all cases with certain restrictions. Additionally, 27% believe abortion should only be allowed in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the pregnant person is at risk. Only 9% of respondents believe abortion should be illegal under all circumstances.
Abortion rights advocates have collected 500,000 signatures to place an initiative on the November ballot. This initiative aims to protect abortion access in the state constitution until fetal viability, typically around 22 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. The group behind this effort, Arizona for Abortion Access, must submit 384,000 valid signatures by July 3.
Democrats are optimistic that public dissatisfaction with strict abortion laws introduced by Republicans will work in their favor during the upcoming elections in November, both in Arizona and beyond. They are not only focusing on the presidential race and control of the state legislature but also on securing an open US Senate seat and two contested US House seats.
Abortion rights supporters and opponents came together outside the statehouse on Wednesday morning.
Jill Norgaard, a board member of Arizona Right to Life, expressed her belief that the issue is not political but moral. She opposes the repeal of the 1864 law.
Arizona for Abortion Access planned a statehouse rally for Wednesday afternoon.
This story has been updated with additional reporting.
Editor's P/S:
The Arizona House of Representatives' failure to repeal the state's 160-year-old abortion ban is a disheartening setback for reproductive rights and a stark reminder of the urgent need for legislative action. The court's decision to reinstate this archaic law has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with candidates distancing themselves and the public overwhelmingly supporting abortion access. It is imperative that the GOP-controlled legislature prioritize the health and well-being of Arizonans by working with Governor Hobbs to find a more moderate solution.
The article highlights the growing divide between public opinion and the actions of elected officials. The recent poll revealing that 59% of Arizona voters support legal abortion underscores the fact that the majority of citizens do not align with the extreme views of anti-abortion lawmakers. The upcoming election provides an opportunity for voters to make their voices heard and elect representatives who will protect their reproductive rights. The momentum behind the abortion rights ballot initiative demonstrates the public's determination to safeguard access to essential healthcare services.
