GOP senator praises Roe reversal after Arizona ruling: ‘We worked very hard to get this result’

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) on Wednesday credited Republican efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade with the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision upholding a near-total abortion ban dating back to the Civil War era. admitted that it was.

In an interview on FOX Business, host Larry Kudrow asked Ernst what he thought about the court’s decision to uphold the ban, noting that “a lot of people are running away from the ban.”

Without addressing the question directly, Ernst reiterated his position as a pro-life lawmaker and said Republicans worked hard to bring the issue back to the states.

“Well, hey, Larry, I’m a mother. I’m a new grandmother and I’m rooting for life,” Ms. Ernst replied. “And Senate Republicans, Republicans, and President Trump worked hard to overturn Roe v. Wade. So we gave it back to the states. That’s the law of the land, and the Supreme Court’s decision… So states are dealing with it.”

“But again, we worked very hard to get this result. From now on, each state will take it up,” she added.

The Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld an 1864 abortion law that bars patients from obtaining abortions in nearly all cases, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Doctors who perform illegal surgeries will also be sentenced to prison. The ban replaces the state’s previous 15-week abortion limit.

The ruling, which does not take effect immediately, has sparked widespread backlash from Democrats and some Republicans, particularly Arizona lawmakers in swing races.

But complicating matters for Republicans is the fact that Arizona Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday blocked consideration of a bill that would repeal the 1864 law, leaving the state House ahead of a November ruling. Questions have arisen as to what steps will be taken to address the court’s decision. election.

Arizona is one of a handful of key battleground states that will determine which party controls the presidency and the Senate this fall. Biden won Arizona in 2020 over Trump by just over a quarter of a point.