Arizona House votes to overturn near-total complete ban on abortions

Arizona House votes to overturn near-total complete ban on abortions
25 Apr 2024

The Arizona House has voted in favor of a proposal aimed at overturning the state's nearly complete ban on abortions.

This law, which predates Arizona's statehood, does not provide exceptions for cases of rape or incest.

The decision comes after two weeks of mounting pressure on Republican members and could potentially impact former President Donald Trump's political ambitions.

3 Republicans broke party lines to support the repeal
Unusual alliance

On Wednesday, three Republicans broke party lines and joined all 29 Democrats in supporting the repeal.

This unexpected alliance came after weeks of escalating pressure on Republican members.

If the Senate also approves the proposal, which is expected, Arizona will allow abortions up to 15 weeks.

The move has been seen as a potential game-changer for Trump's bid to regain his position in the White House.

Trump, Kari Lake had urged Arizona legislators to ease restrictions
Tense atmosphere

Former President Trump and US Senate hopeful Kari Lake had previously urged Arizona legislators to ease these restrictions due to widespread opposition that could potentially threaten their political futures.

However, until Wednesday, most Republican members of the state House had consistently used procedural votes to block the repeal.

This action drew criticism from Democratic President Joe Biden, who has made his support for abortion rights a key part of his reelection campaign.

Arizonans are living in 1864 now: Democratic state Senator
Rising tensions

Democratic state Senator Priya Sundareshan of Tucson expressed her concerns at a news conference before the vote, stating "Make no mistake, Arizonans are living in 1864 now because Donald Trump dismantled Roe versus Wade."

This statement came just a day after Biden accused Trump of creating a "health care crisis for women all over this country," by jeopardizing their access to care.

Arizona is among several key states that will play a crucial role in determining the next president.

Republican lawmakers defy party lines to back repeal measure
Party defiance

State Representative Matt Gress—one of the three Republicans who defied party lines to back the repeal measure—issued a statement saying that the near-total abortion ban was "unworkable and out of line with the values of Arizonans."

State Representative Tim Dunn argued that his vote in favor of repeal was "the most pro-life vote I could possibly make" because resistance to the total ban could result in voters supporting abortion even after 15 weeks.

Arizona Supreme Court rules to enforce long-dormant abortion law
Legal implications

Earlier this month, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the state can enforce a long-dormant law that allows abortions only to save the life of the pregnant patient.

This ruling implies that doctors could face prosecution under this law—first enacted in 1864—which imposes a prison sentence on anyone who assists in an abortion.

This law had been suspended since the US Supreme Court's 1973 Roe versus Wade decision affirmed the constitutional right to an abortion nationwide.

Repeal won't come into effect until 90 days after session
Legislative shift

If the proposed repeal receives final approval from the Republican-dominated Legislature and is signed into law by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, a 2022 statute prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy would become Arizona's primary abortion law.

However, there may be a temporary period during which all abortions are banned, as the repeal won't come into effect until 90 days after the legislative session concludes, likely around mid-summer.