Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs quickly signed a bill Thursday repealing an 1864 law that bans nearly all abortions. Just that day, the Senate passed the bill and sent it to her desk.
On Wednesday, two Republican state senators joined Democrats to advance the repeal, and the bill passed 16-14. The Senate vote came a week after three Republicans joined all 29 Democrats in the state House of Representatives to vote in favor of passing the repeal.
“Today, we did what 23 governors and 55 legislatures refused to do and repealed the 1864 Civil War-era abortion ban,” Hobbs said in a post on X. I trust women to make the decisions that are best for them, and I know that politicians have no place in the doctor’s office. ”
Today, we did what 23 governors and 55 legislatures refused to do, repealing the 1864 Civil War-era abortion ban.
I will do everything in my power to protect our reproductive freedom because I trust women to make the decisions that are best for them. pic.twitter.com/32LMZBICnU
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) May 2, 2024
The Arizona Supreme Court handed down a historic ruling on April 9, allowing the state to restrict all abortions except those that save the mother’s life and punish abortionists with two to five years in prison. The court ruled that the law must be followed.
The judges heard arguments in the case, Arizona Planned Parenthood v. Mays/Hazelrigg, in December, was asked to consider whether Arizona’s 15-week abortion limit, signed into law in March 2022, overrides the old law. The court ruled 4-2, although he did not rule on the constitutionality of the 1864 law. decisionWith one repudiation, the 1864 law was found to be “enforceable” beyond the new 15-week limit.
With the repeal of the 1864 limit, the state’s 15-week limit will remain state law.
RELATED: Arizona Supreme Court follows the law as Democrats tighten restrictions on abortion up to birth
Democrats want to do the same for the state’s 15-week limit, “planning to argue that the 15-week limit and lack of exceptions for rape and incest remain unpopular,” CNN reported. Reported. reportnoted that Democrats also plan to target vulnerable Republicans at the state legislative level.
Pro-abortion activists in the state are also pushing for an amendment that would create a constitutional right to abortion in Arizona. The bill would ultimately override the 15-week limit and allow abortions up to about 24 weeks or later. An exception is made regarding the life and health of the mother. Arizona is one of about a dozen states where activists work. work Codifying the right to kill the unborn child.
“Repealing this 1864 ban is a huge step in the right direction. But the fight is not over. This November, Arizonans enshrined abortion in our state constitution, taking our right once and for all. ,” Hobbs said in another post to X.
Repealing this 1864 Prohibition is a huge step in the right direction. However, the battle is not over.
This November, Arizonans can enshrine abortion in our state constitution and protect our rights once and for all.
— Katie Hobbs (@katiehobbs) May 3, 2024
Annual pro-life abortion rally in St. Paul, Minnesota. His MCCL March for Life in 2023 will remind elected officials that unborn children and their mothers deserve more than unlimited abortion, and that they should stop working until every innocent human being is protected. I’m taking the opportunity to tell you that it won’t happen. (Michael Silk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty)
Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays, a Democrat, said the 1864 law won’t take effect until June 27 at the earliest because of other ongoing litigation. However, the repeal would not take effect until 90 days after the Arizona Legislature adjourns, leaving the state’s abortion situation temporarily in limbo.
Mays asked the Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday to give him 90 days to decide whether to appeal the court’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Katherine Hamilton is a political reporter for Breitbart News. You can follow her at @thekat_Hamilton.
