Arizona Republicans thwart attempt to repeal archaic 160-year-old abortion ban once again

The Arizona Supreme Court's April 9 decision to uphold a near-total abortion ban from the 19th century has led to days of national debate, and multiple attempts to overturn the ban. On Wednesday (Apr 17), the Arizona Republican control statehouse for the second time quashed efforts to overturn the ban.

Previously, on April 10, the statehouse had snubbed a similar attempt.

Snubbed again

In Wednesday's session, Republican members of the Arizona legislature blocked a procedural motion that would have allowed a vote on a bill aiming to repeal this stringent ban.

Despite bipartisan support from one Republican, Representative Matt Gress, and all 29 Democrats, the motion failed to pass with a 30-30 deadlock.

This marks the second failed attempt to repeal the 160-year-old ban, following a similar outcome last week.

Following the unsuccessful vote in the House, Democrats, led by Senator Anna Hernandez, are pushing forward with a Senate version of the repeal bill, which is expected to face several days of procedural hurdles.

Arizona's abortion rights advocates are also mobilising to introduce a ballot measure this November aimed at securing abortion rights within the state constitution.

Arizona's near total abortion ban law

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

The more than a century-old law 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.

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

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 also prompted several Republican leaders to shift their stance and be more moderate regarding abortion.

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)