The Arizona House of Representatives voted to repeal the state’s Civil War-era abortion ban in a 32-28 vote, marking the latest development in the state’s debate around reproductive rights. Republican Reps. Matthew Gress, Justin Wilmeth, and Tim Dunn crossed party lines to vote with all House Democrats in favor of the repeal. The motion will now go to the state Senate, which is also Republican-led, and the earliest it could be voted on there is May 1.
The 1864 law that the Supreme Court ruled could be enforced called for a near-total ban on abortion, making it a felony with up to five years of prison time to perform an abortion unless the mother’s life is in danger. If the law is repealed, Arizona’s previous law that banned abortions after 15 weeks would be reinstated. Democratic Rep. Oscar De Los Santos emphasized that the decision to get an abortion or seek any type of reproductive healthcare belongs in the hands of patients, their families, and their providers, not politicians.
Arizona House Speaker Rep. Ben Toma expressed disagreement with his Democrat colleagues who advocate for extremism through unlimited, unrestricted, and unregulated abortions. Even if the Senate passes the law and it is signed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, the 1864 law could still go into effect for a period of time due to legislative procedures. As of now, the law is scheduled to go into effect on June 8.
The Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling on the controversial abortion ban on April 9 drew criticism from both political parties. President Joe Biden called the ban “cruel” and a result of the extreme agenda of Republican elected officials committed to restricting women’s freedom. Former President Donald Trump urged the state legislature to overturn the ruling immediately. Democratic state Attorney General Kris Mayes criticized the ruling, calling it unconscionable and an affront to freedom, and stated that as long as she is attorney general, no woman or doctor would be prosecuted for receiving or giving an abortion.
The ongoing debate around reproductive rights in Arizona highlights the divide between political parties on the issue of abortion. With the repeal of the Civil War-era abortion ban, the state is facing the reinstatement of a previous law that banned abortions after 15 weeks. The decision to repeal this ban is seen as a significant step towards protecting women’s rights and ensuring that decisions about their reproductive healthcare remain in their hands, rather than in the hands of politicians.
As the motion moves to the state Senate for further consideration, the future of abortion rights in Arizona remains uncertain. However, the bipartisan support for repealing the Civil War-era abortion ban in the House of Representatives signals a potential shift towards more progressive reproductive healthcare policies in the state. The outcome of the Senate vote and any subsequent actions taken by state officials will have a significant impact on the reproductive rights of women in Arizona and shape the future of abortion legislation in the state.
