Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit Arizona on Friday to discuss the implications of a possible second Trump term. The visit comes days after the Arizona Supreme Court upheld an 1864 law that criminalizes abortions with no exceptions for rape or incest. Harris will point to former President Trump’s appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court as the reason for this decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. According to prepared remarks, Harris will accuse Trump of being responsible for the erosion of women’s rights and freedoms in Arizona, calling him “the architect of this health care crisis” and warning that a second Trump term would mean “more bans, more suffering, less freedom.”
The Arizona Supreme Court’s recent ruling upheld the 1864 law, which makes it a felony to provide or administer abortion-inducing substances or tools to pregnant women. The law, passed when Arizona was a territory and updated in 1913 when it became a state, has now been deemed “enforceable” following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The court rejected arguments for a 15-week abortion ban passed in 2022, ruling that the older law takes precedence. This decision has sparked debate and criticism, with some calling for the repeal of the 1864 law, while others support its enforcement.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, has urged state lawmakers to repeal the law, while the state’s Democratic attorney general has stated that she will not enforce any abortion bans. Harris’ visit and prepared remarks are in line with the Democratic Party’s 2024 strategy of focusing on abortion rights following the end of Roe. The Biden campaign has announced a seven-figure ad purchase targeting Arizona voters on this issue, with a new ad called “Power Back” blaming Trump for overturning Roe v. Wade and allowing laws like Arizona’s abortion ban to go into effect.
Harris is expected to warn Arizona voters about the potential consequences of a second Trump term, emphasizing the threat of a national abortion ban based on Trump’s past support for such measures. She will highlight Congress’s attempt in 2017 to pass a national abortion ban, which was endorsed by then-President Trump. By focusing on abortion rights and linking them to Trump’s policies, Harris aims to rally support for the Biden administration and the Democratic Party leading up to the 2024 election. The issue of abortion is expected to be a key point of contention in the upcoming campaign, with both parties seeking to mobilize their bases on this divisive topic.
As the debate over abortion rights intensifies in Arizona and across the country, the implications of the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision and the potential consequences of a second Trump term are at the forefront of public discourse. Harris’ visit and messaging in Tuscon reflect the Biden administration’s commitment to protecting reproductive rights and ensuring access to safe and legal abortion services. With the 2024 election approaching, the issue of abortion is likely to be a defining factor in shaping the political landscape and influencing voter attitudes and behaviors.
