The state Supreme Court in Arizona has upheld a near-total ban on abortion from 1864, making abortion a felony punishable by prison time. However, after three attempts, the state House has voted to repeal this law, with the state Senate expected to follow suit. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs is likely to sign the repeal quickly once it passes in the Senate. The White House and abortion rights supporters have praised Arizona lawmakers for the passage of the repeal, marking a significant step forward in reproductive rights in the state.
Republican opponents of the repeal have expressed their disappointment in the bill passing, arguing that rushing the legislative process could lead to rushed judgments. Despite their efforts, three GOP lawmakers joined Democrats in the chamber to approve the repeal. The Republican party in Arizona had initially opposed the idea of repealing the ban, but mounting pressure and political blowback forced them to reconsider. The state House’s vote to repeal is a significant victory for abortion rights advocates in the state who have been fighting against the ban for years.
The fight over abortion rights in Arizona has intensified following the Supreme Court ruling upholding the ban. The law, which makes abortion illegal from the moment of conception, is set to go into effect in June. However, efforts are underway to delay the implementation of the law, and voters may have the opportunity to decide on the future of abortion rights in the state in November. Organizers are working to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot that would create a fundamental right to receive abortion care up until fetal viability, effectively undoing the 1864 ban.
In response to the Supreme Court decision, Republicans in Arizona are considering alternative measures to upend the proposed amendment, including pushing competing ballot measures. Republicans in the state House Rules committee advanced three resolutions, likely aimed at introducing anti-abortion measures to confuse and deceive voters. The tactics employed by Republicans to undermine the proposed constitutional amendment have sparked criticism from abortion rights supporters, who view these actions as an attempt to thwart progress on reproductive rights in the state.
The passage of the repeal in the state House marks a significant victory for abortion rights advocates in Arizona, who have been fighting against the ban for years. The collaborative effort of lawmakers, activists, and supporters has led to this momentous decision that will have a lasting impact on reproductive rights in the state. With the state Senate expected to pass the repeal as well, Arizona is on the path to overturning a 160-year-old ban on abortion, paving the way for greater access to reproductive healthcare for residents. This victory is a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and political advocacy in advancing progressive change.
