Arizona House Votes to Repeal Century-Old Abortion Ban: A Comprehensive Look
On April 24, 2024, the Arizona House of Representatives took a significant step towards repealing a century-old abortion ban in the state. The vote came after two failed attempts last week to bring the bill to the floor.
The 1864 law, which dates back to before Arizona was even a state, prohibits all abortions except when necessary to save a pregnant woman's life. It carries a prison sentence of two to five years for abortion providers. The law has been blocked by court injunctions since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, which established a federal constitutional right to an abortion.
The recent vote in the Arizona House was met with relief from Democrats and advocacy groups who have been working to protect abortion access up to fetal viability (around 22-24 weeks of pregnancy). They are currently gathering signatures for a constitutional amendment proposal that would be placed on the state's November ballot.
The Republican-controlled Arizona House, however, has faced criticism for blocking earlier repeal efforts. Speaker Ben Toma (R) twice prevented the bill from moving forward. The Senate is expected to consider the law on May 1.
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has been urging lawmakers to repeal the 1864 law and is expected to sign a repeal if it reaches her desk.
The current 15-week abortion ban, signed into law by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey in March 2022, has no exceptions for rape or incest. The legislation explicitly stated that it did not overrule the 1864 law.
Abortion rights advocates argue that the repeal of the century-old ban is crucial to protect women's reproductive freedom and ensure access to healthcare services. They also point out that if a repeal fails, Arizona could become one of more than a dozen states with near-total abortion bans.
The Republican Party, on the other hand, has been vocal in their opposition to abortion rights. Some Republicans have equated abortion with murder and slavery. However, there were three Republicans who broke ranks and voted with Democrats to repeal the ban: Matt Gress, Tim Dunn, and Justin Wilmeth.
Following the vote, Matt Gress was removed from the Appropriations Committee for his actions. The removal sparked criticism from some quarters as an act of retaliation against him for speaking out in favor of reproductive freedom.
In conclusion, the Arizona House's vote to repeal the century-old abortion ban is a significant development in the ongoing debate over women's reproductive rights. The outcome of this issue will have far-reaching implications for women in Arizona and beyond.
