Arizona Democrats tried to repeal abortion ban, but Republicans blocked them

Arizona Democrats on Wednesday tried to repeal a law banning nearly all abortions in the state that was set to go into effect following a state Supreme Court ruling the day before, but Republicans blocked it in both chambers.

The action took place in both chambers of the Arizona Legislature.

In the House, Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, has joined Democrats in pushing for a bill that would repeal the ban enshrined in an 1864 law that the Supreme Court ordered enforced on Tuesday.

The motion was defeated by state Rep. David Livingston (R), who made a motion to have the House adjourn to avoid a vote on the bill. The Arizona Republic reported..

In the state Senate, Democratic state Sen. Anna Hernandez told The Hill that she tried to introduce a motion for the state Senate to come back from recess and reconsider the ban, but that effort was “abandoned.” Told.

“They are definitely blocking Democratic efforts to repeal this,” Hernandez told The Hill.

Democrats in the state legislature yelled at Republicans that there would be “blood on our hands” after they refused to review the bill. They shouted “shame” and “save a woman’s life” while pointing at colleagues across the aisle, as seen in a video circulating on social media.

The Arizona Supreme Court’s surprise decision has roiled politics both inside and outside the state. Democrats see abortion rights as a key issue that could help President Biden and other candidates in the fall. Former President Trump said earlier this week that he opposes a bill that would ban abortions at 15 and 16 weeks, suggesting he considered the issue dangerous for his party.

State House Speaker Ben Thoma (Republican) told Axios He said he does not support repeal and would not allow a vote on it.

Hernandez criticized his Republican colleagues for blocking efforts to repeal the ban. She said if they really said Prohibition in 1864 went too far, they wouldn’t have done it.

He said he is considering next steps with his staff and colleagues in the House and Senate. Hernandez said the next opportunity to file the motion will be next Wednesday when the state Senate is in session.

“I think tensions are running high and emotions are running high,” Hernandez said. “This is a very emotional issue for many of us.”

State Sen. Eva Birch, a Democrat who gained national attention last month by announcing she planned to have an abortion, called Republicans “extraordinarily stupid and untrustworthy.”

“I’d like to say I’m surprised by what happened today, but I’m not. This has been consistent.”

Burch said the state’s Republican lawmakers are “fixing the problem they created” and are in a “pretty shaky position” regarding future legislation that could sway voters ahead of the election.

“This issue is evolving over time, and Arizonans expect us to do something now,” she said.

The Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected arguments that state law’s 15-week abortion ban should be upheld in a 4-2 decision. By striking down this law, the court effectively reinstated a Civil War-era law (passed before the state of Arizona) that banned virtually all abortions. The law has no exceptions for rape or incest, making it a felony to perform or undergo an abortion.

Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) says she won’t rest until Arizonans have abortion rights. After the court’s decision, Hobbs called on the state Legislature to repeal the ban “immediately.” She has criticized Republicans who say the 1864 law goes too far, but has yet to respond to repeated calls to repeal the ban.

Hobbs called Wednesday’s legislative action “unconscionable.” He said the Republican-controlled Congress “had an opportunity to do the right thing” but “failed.”

“Time and time again, extremist lawmakers defended Civil War-era anti-abortion laws that put doctors in jail, stripped women of their bodily autonomy, and endangered our lives.” Her statement said:.