In the Arizona Senate, two Republicans joined a Democrat on Wednesday to vote in favor of repealing the state’s near-total abortion restrictions established in 1864.
Republican state Sens. Shauna Bolick and TJ Schopf joined Democrats to advance the repeal, which passed 16-14, CNN report. The 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.
The bill will now go to the desk of Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs (D). Said On Wednesday, she said she intended to sign the bill’s repeal “quickly.”
Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on April 9 that the state must comply with an 1864 law that restricts all abortions except those that save the mother’s life and imposes prison sentences of two to five years for abortionists. handed down a historic ruling stating that
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.
“This repeal is essential to protect women’s lives, but it is only the beginning of the fight to protect reproductive health care in Arizona,” Hobbs said in a statement.
Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Life America, a major pro-life organization, issued a statement mourning the repeal of the 1864 law and calling on Arizona Republican lawmakers to abide by the state’s 15-week limit.
“We are saving children who would have been protected under Arizona’s strongest pro-life laws and mothers who would have received life-affirming assistance to address their holistic needs. We mourn his loss,” said SBA Pro Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser. Saidto some extent:
Between now and November, far-left and pro-abortion forces will spend tens of millions of dollars to muddy the waters, stoke fear, and sow chaos to advance extreme abortion policies. Their goal is to repeal Arizona’s 15-week abortion law and replace it with a constitutional amendment that would allow unlimited late-term painful abortions after the fifth, sixth, and seventh months of pregnancy. Kali Lake and all Republican candidates and elected officials will support Arizona’s 15-week protection with exceptions and support Arizona’s 15-week protection by running a vigorous campaign against the extreme unlimited abortion amendment. We must bring clarity to the state’s voters.
Indeed, after the repeal passes, “Democrats plan to argue that the 15-week limit and lack of exceptions for rape and incest remain unpopular,” CNN reported, and Democrats at the state legislative level He also pointed out that he plans to target vulnerable Republicans.
“As Republicans regroup to defend the 15-week ban and undermine Arizona’s upcoming abortion voting bill, we will continue to support Democratic majorities in the Arizona Legislature, with two in each chamber. We are focused on flipping seats,” President Heather Williams said. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee said in a statement:
Arizona Abortion Access members hold a press conference and protest at the Arizona House of Representatives on April 17, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
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 adjourned, leaving the state’s abortion situation temporarily in limbo.
Mays reportedly 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.
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 at least a dozen states where pro-abortion activists are active. work Codifying the right to kill the unborn child.
Katherine Hamilton is a political reporter for Breitbart News. You can follow her at @thekat_Hamilton.
