Arizona Senate Votes to Repeal Near-Total Abortion Ban

Repeal of Arizona's Near-Total Abortion Ban

Just weeks after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled the state's near-total abortion ban enforceable, the ban is set to be repealed. The repeal narrowly passed in the Arizona House on April 24, with three Republicans joining Democrats in favor of the measure. Later, on May 1, the state Senate also approved the repeal in a 16–14 vote, despite some senators expressing their disappointment.

Senators Express Disappointment

State Sen. Anthony Kern criticized his Republican colleagues who voted with Democrats, stating, "What we're actually voting on is death." He continued, "The Democrat Party stands and runs on death. The Republican Party stands and is supposed to run on life." State Sen. Sonny Borrelli objected to the bill not being sent to a committee or given time for debate or amendments. State Sen. Justine Wadsack, in an emotional moment, shared her personal experience of losing a child to miscarriage.

Details of the Abortion Ban

The abortion ban, which was first enacted in 1864 before Arizona became a state, prohibits all abortions except those performed to save the mother's life. The ban was later recodified by the Legislature in the late 1970s. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has pledged to sign the repeal, which will not become effective until 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. At that point, a 2022 law limiting abortions to 15 weeks of pregnancy will become the state's prevailing law. However, the abortion ban is expected to take effect on June 27.

Arguments for the Repeal

Supporters of the repeal argued that the ban, with its pre-statehood origins, was outdated and inconsistent with more recent laws. State Sen. Eva Burch stated, "I don’t want us honoring laws about women, written during a time when women were forbidden from voting because their voices were considered inferior to men."

Legal Battle and Impact on Other States

The law was blocked for decades by a permanent injunction. However, a two-year court battle, triggered by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, ended with the Arizona Supreme Court's ruling on April 9. The same day, a six-week abortion limit in Florida took effect, sparking controversy and backlash from abortion advocates who saw it as a threat to women's rights.

Abortion and the Presidential Election

Abortion will be a key issue in the upcoming presidential election, with both Arizona and Florida playing crucial roles in determining the next president. While President Biden has sided with abortion advocates, former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has avoided the issue, believing it to be a losing issue for the GOP. Trump, who identifies as pro-life, has stated that he views abortion as a states' rights issue, criticizing both the Arizona and Florida laws as overly restrictive.

Conclusion

This development in Arizona's abortion laws reflects a broader national conversation about women's reproductive rights. As the debate continues, it's clear that the issue of abortion will remain a hot topic in the upcoming presidential election. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered every day at 6pm, to stay informed about important topics like this one.