Arizona Republicans once again prevent repeal of 1864 abortion ban

Arizona House Republicans have blocked an effort to repeal the state’s 1864 near-total abortion ban for a second time, sparking controversy and outrage among residents. The Arizona Supreme Court recently upheld the state’s Civil War-era abortion ban, severely limiting access to abortion with the only exception being to save the life of the mother.

This decision has left women across the state with little to no access to abortion care, and doctors who perform the procedure could face fines or imprisonment. Many voters, including some Republicans, argue that the law is outdated and an extreme restriction on women’s rights. Even former President Donald Trump, the Republican party’s presumptive presidential nominee, has criticized the ban as going “too far.”

Efforts to repeal the ban in the state legislature have now failed twice, with Republicans blocking the vote on procedural grounds. Despite two Republicans signaling their support for a repeal before the vote, only one ultimately voted with Democrats to move the repeal forward. This resulted in a 30-30 tie, allowing Republicans to block the repeal.

The decision has sparked backlash on social media, with Democratic Senator Tina Smith criticizing Republicans for prioritizing their beliefs over women’s lives. Historian Aaron Astor noted that the issue may ultimately be decided by the electorate in November.

Top Republicans, including Trump and US Senate candidate Kari Lake, have called for action to revert the Civil War-era ban. The debate over abortion rights in Arizona continues to be a contentious and divisive issue.