Arizona Senate Clears the Way for Repeal of Abortion Ban
After gaining passage in the Arizona senate with an absolute majority of 16–14 votes, the bid to overturn the stringent abortion ban that allows no exception is expected to be quickly signed by Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat.
Arizona Senate’s Move
The Arizona Senate on Wednesday (May 1) cleared the way for the repeal of the archaic six-week abortion ban that holds no exceptions for rape or incest.
As per Reuters, two Republican senators crossed party lines to vote in favor of repealing the state’s 1864 ban on abortion. This comes after the Arizona House last week passed the repeal measure after a handful of Republicans broke party ranks and voted with Democrats to send it to the Senate.
Reaction to the Repeal
Celebrating the win, Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton, a Democratic Arizona State Representative, voiced her gratitude. “I am deeply grateful that the bill I introduced to repeal the 1864 ban has made it to the finish line,” she said.
Arizona’s Abortion Ban Law
On April 9, the Arizona Supreme Court revived a more than a century-old strict ban on abortion. The nearly 160-year-old law holds no exceptions for rape or incest and criminalizes the medical procedure of abortion throughout pregnancy, except when the mother’s life is at risk.
The ban could take effect within 60 days of the top state court ruling unless the legislature intervenes. Currently, the state enforces an abortion ban beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy due to legal delays preventing the full implementation of the 1864 law.
Abortion Rights and America
In America, the political landscape around abortion has become charged since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. This decision had significant electoral repercussions for Republicans during the 2022 midterms.
With the 2024 elections approaching, the voter temper in the 2022 midterms has prompted several Republican leaders to be more moderate regarding abortion.
Notably, after the Arizona top court’s decision last week, Senator Shawnna Bolick called on her colleagues to repeal the ban. Even Donald Trump, who takes credit for the overturning of Roe V. Wade, said that he believed the 1864 ban goes too far and suggested it will be “straightened out.”
