Arizona abortion ban overturn bid crosses another hurdle; Senate approves repeal in 16-14 vote

The Arizona Senate on Wednesday (May 1) cleared the way for the repeal of the archaic six-week abortion ban thatholds no exceptions for rape or incest.

After being passed in the Arizona Senate withan absolute majority of16–14 votes, the bid to overturn the stringent abortion ban that allows no exceptionis expected to be quickly signed by Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat.

As per Reuters,two Republican senators crossed party lines to vote in favour of repealing the state's 1864 ban on abortion.

This comes after the ArizonaHouse last week passed the repeal measure after a handful of Republicans broke party ranks and voted with Democrats to send it to the Senate.

Celebrating the win,Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton, a Democratic Arizona State Representative, voiced her gratitude."I am deeply grateful that the bill I introduced to repeal the 1864 ban has made it to the finish line," she said.

Arizona's near total abortion ban law

On April 9, the Arizona Supreme Court revived a more than a century-old strict ban on abortion.

The nearly 160-year-oldlaw holds no exceptions for rape or incest. It places a blanket ban and criminalises the medical procedure of abortion throughout pregnancy. The only exception is if the pregnancy puts the mother's life at risk.

The ban could take effect within 60 days of the top state court ruling unless the legislature intervenes, reports Reuters.

Currently, the state enforces an abortion ban beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy. This is because of ongoing legal delays preventing the full implementation of the 1864 law.

Arizona Democrats have twice already attempted to repeal the ban but were snubbed by Republicans.

Abortion rights and America

In America, the political landscape around abortion has become particularly charged since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. This decision led to significant electoral repercussions for Republicans during the 2022 midterms and was credited with slowing a much-promised "red wave".

With the 2024 elections fast approaching, the voter temper in the 2022 midterms has prompted several Republican leaders to shift their stance and be more moderate regarding abortion.

Watch |US: Arizona reinstates 160-year-old Abortion ban

Notably, after the Arizona top court’s decision last week, Senator Shawnna Bolick, who is married to a Supreme Court Justice who supported the old ban, called on her colleagues to repeal the ban.

Even Donald Trump, who takes the credit for the overturning of Roe V. Wade, said that he believed the 1864 ban goes too far and suggested it will be "straightened out".

(With inputs from agencies)