Phoenix, Arizona – The Arizona House, controlled by Republicans, voted on Wednesday to repeal an 1864 abortion law that would have banned nearly all abortions, forwarding the measure to the state Senate. The state Senate is scheduled to consider the law on May 1, with the 1864 law slated to take effect on June 8, superseding the current 15-week abortion ban.
In a contentious session, three Republicans defied GOP House Speaker Ben Toma in a 32-28 vote, joined by all Democrats in moving the bill forward. The narrow Republican majority in the chamber stood at 31-29, highlighting the significance of the bipartisan push to repeal the abortion ban.
Earlier this month, the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of enforcing the restrictive 160-year-old law, limiting abortions to only cases where the mother’s life was at risk. Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton expressed optimism about the effort to repeal the ban, emphasizing the need to continue fighting for reproductive rights in Arizona.
Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, applauded the House’s decision to repeal the outdated abortion law and urged the Senate to follow suit promptly. Meanwhile, anti-abortion group Arizona Right to Life is mobilizing opposition to the repeal efforts, planning demonstrations at the state Capitol.
The bill’s passage represents a significant step towards overturning the archaic abortion ban, with advocates and lawmakers alike voicing their support for reproductive rights in the state. The next crucial stage lies in the state Senate, where the fate of the 1864 ban repeal will be decided in the coming weeks.
The ongoing debate surrounding abortion in Arizona underscores the complex and deeply polarizing nature of reproductive rights legislation. As the state Senate prepares to deliberate on the issue, the outcome will not only impact women’s access to healthcare but also shape the broader conversation around reproductive freedom in the state.