The Arizona House, under Republican control, sanctioned the repeal of an 1864 abortion legislation on Wednesday, aiming to prohibit nearly all abortions, leading to the measure’s progression to the state Senate.
On May 1, the state Senate will assess the legislation. The 1864 regulation is slated to become effective on June 8, superseding the existing 15-week abortion prohibition.
In a heated session on Wednesday, three Republicans sided with all Democrats in a 32-28 vote to defy GOP House Speaker Ben Toma, who had previously blocked the bill twice. Republicans maintain a narrow 31-29 majority in the chamber.
Earlier this month, the state Supreme Court upheld the highly restrictive 160-year-old law that prohibits almost all abortions, enabling the ban on the procedure except in cases crucial to save the mother’s life.
When questioned on Tuesday about her stance on the Democratic initiative in the Arizona State Legislature to rescind an 1864 abortion restriction before its activation, Democratic state Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton chuckled.
“I was informed that we might achieve a straightforward annulment by tomorrow, but you know, who can say for sure, right?” Stahl Hamilton expressed. “It’s uncertain who might back away, you know, the night before or just minutes prior? All I’m certain of is that we must persevere. The people of Arizona depend on us to strive consistently to revoke this prohibition.”
On Wednesday, Stahl Hamilton conveyed her “appreciation” toward Rep. Matt Gress, a Republican aligning with the Democrats, for facilitating the vote on Wednesday.
Stahl Hamilton remarked that the legislation is “moving closer to repeal.” The proposition is now on its way to the state Senate.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, expressed delight in a post on X over the House’s resolution to nullify the antiquated 1864 near-complete abortion prohibition, urging the Senate to follow suit promptly and “forward the revocation for my endorsement. Without delay.”
Arizona Right to Life, an anti-abortion organization, urges lawmakers to resist these initiatives, intending to mobilize at the state Capitol.
Source : www.cbsnews.com