Arizona House of Representatives Votes to Repeal 1864 Abortion Ban

After weeks of intense debate and political maneuvering, the Arizona House of Representatives has finally voted to repeal a near-total abortion ban that has been in place since 1864. This historic vote comes after the state Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the ban could be enforced, potentially ending abortion services in the Grand Canyon State.

The 32-29 vote was a close one, with three Republican legislators, Reps. Tim Dunn, Matt Gress, and Justin Wilmeth, crossing party lines to join Democrats in supporting the repeal. Dunn and Gress played a crucial role in bringing the repeal legislation to the House floor for an immediate vote, despite opposition from House Speaker Ben Toma and the rest of the GOP caucus.

This marks the third consecutive week that efforts have been made to force a vote on House Bill 2677, with previous attempts being thwarted by Republicans. However, this time, Dunn and Gress stood firm in their support for the repeal, allowing the vote to proceed.

Republicans who supported the 1864 ban spoke out against the repeal during passionate floor speeches, with Rep. Barbara Parker calling abortion “murder” and Rep. Alexander Kolodin criticizing his colleagues for putting politics above morality.

The state Senate has yet to address an identical measure introduced last week, but if it passes, it will be sent to Gov. Katie Hobbs, who has urged the legislature to repeal the outdated law.

This vote has far-reaching implications for the future of abortion rights in Arizona and has sparked intense debate among lawmakers and citizens alike. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.