Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the state’s 123-year-old law banning nearly all abortions except to save the mother’s life. said the woman could die.
A partial transcription follows:
MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to ask you about what’s going on in your home state of Arizona. As you know, state courts are considering potentially taking effect on an 1864 Civil War-era law that criminalizes abortion. It was decided that there is. Currently on hold, this is a live issue. Do you have confidence that your state legislature will take action before it goes into effect?
KELLY: Well, first of all, this was a disaster for women in Arizona. They lost their basic right to an abortion, and it’s all because of Donald Trump. And our Congress tried to fix this a few days ago, but it didn’t work. We need him to implement a ballot initiative in November to resolve this. Donald Trump owns this. He just said yesterday that he threw out Roe v. Wade, and because he did that, our courts are reinstating this draconian 1864 law that takes away this right and sends doctors to prison. I was able to do it.
BRENNAN: To be fair, your Republican state legislators also have some power here, and they could have done something different. I accept your rhetorical point.
Kelly: Maybe. Yes, they could, and yes, they did nothing about it. they had a chance.
BRENNAN: But there’s an initiative that you just mentioned that will give your state the opportunity to vote on this particular issue on the ballot in November, and it will have a lifespan (usually somewhere between 21 and 24 weeks). It guarantees access to abortion until the end of the term. About pregnancy. From a political standpoint, how much does this help offset some of the disappointment and fatigue we’re seeing in the polls from Democratic voters? This issue favors the president in your state. Will this increase voter turnout?
KELLY: Well, my first concern is for women in Arizona, their health, and the potential for women to die from this 1864 ruling, which has been re-enabled by a former president. That’s my biggest concern. We are planning to hold elections in November. I think there will be a lot of participants because of this issue. Margaret, I would also like to point out that I don’t think this represents us in Arizona. This is a moment, and we will get through this. There will be an opportunity to correct this in November.
Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN
