Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton expressed uncertainty regarding the ongoing efforts to repeal an 1864 abortion ban in Arizona before it goes into effect. The Arizona Supreme Court recently ruled that the law, which severely restricts abortions, can be enforced, except in cases where the mother’s life is at risk. Previous attempts by Democrats to repeal the law have not been successful, with Republican House Speaker Ben Toma blocking efforts to bring it to a vote. Despite challenges, Stahl Hamilton emphasized the importance of continuing to fight for the repeal to ensure access to abortion for people in Arizona.
The recent efforts to repeal the 1864 abortion ban in Arizona have faced obstacles, with a temporary rule change falling one vote short in April. While the Senate has made progress with a first reading of a repeal bill, further readings are required before a vote can take place. House Speaker Ben Toma has been critical of the Democrats’ stance on abortion and has emphasized the need for careful consideration and discussion on the issue. He has raised concerns about potential implications of a repeal, such as allowing partial-birth abortions and minors obtaining abortions without parental consent, despite no evidence supporting these claims.
Democratic state Sen. Eva Burch and Sen. Anna Hernandez have expressed doubts about the likelihood of a successful repeal effort, citing divisions within the Republican caucus. Burch stated that she has no confidence in the repeal moving forward in the way it should, while Hernandez acknowledged that anything could happen in the legislative process. The uncertain future of the repeal efforts has raised concerns among advocates for abortion rights, as the June 8 deadline for the law to go into effect approaches.
The Arizona State Legislature is set to address the issue once again in an upcoming meeting, where attempts to repeal the 1864 abortion ban will be revisited. Anti-abortion group Arizona Right to Life is actively opposing any repeal efforts and plans to organize at the state capitol to advocate against changes to the existing law. The ongoing battle over abortion in Arizona highlights the complex and contentious nature of reproductive rights legislation, with lawmakers and advocates on both sides of the issue actively engaged in the debate. Despite challenges and uncertainties, supporters of abortion rights continue to push for the repeal of the 160-year-old law to ensure access to safe and legal abortion care in the state.
