Arizona House Approves Repeal of Near-Total Abortion Ban, Clearing First Hurdle

Arizona House Approves Repeal of 1864 Abortion Ban

In a historic move, the Arizona House has approved a repeal of the state’s near-total ban on abortions, which dates back to 1864. The law, which only allows for exceptions in cases where the patient’s life is at risk, has been a contentious issue in the state for years.

The repeal effort gained bipartisan support, with three Republicans joining all 29 Democrats in voting to overturn the ban. This comes after weeks of pressure on Republicans in a battleground state during a presidential election year.

The push for repeal has been fueled by Democratic President Joe Biden, who has made his support for abortion rights a central issue in his reelection campaign. Biden has condemned Republicans for blocking previous repeal efforts through procedural votes.

The Arizona Supreme Court recently ruled that the state can enforce the 1864 law, leading to renewed efforts to repeal it. The law carries a penalty of two to five years in prison for anyone who assists in an abortion.

Planned Parenthood officials have vowed to continue providing abortions for as long as they are legal in the state. They have also pledged to help patients travel out of state to access abortion services if necessary.

In response to the repeal effort, Republican lawmakers are considering putting competing abortion proposals on the November ballot. These proposals could include measures to codify existing abortion regulations or impose new restrictions on the procedure.

The repeal of the 1864 abortion ban is seen as a significant step towards expanding reproductive rights in Arizona. If the repeal wins final approval from the Legislature and is signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs, it would pave the way for a new abortion law in the state.