Arizona House passes bill to repeal Civil War-era abortion ban
By
Gabrielle M. Etzel
April 24, 2024 4:10 pm
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Arizona state lawmakers in the House on Wednesday passed a bill that would repeal the Civil War-era abortion ban that was upheld by the state’s Supreme Court earlier this month.
Three state Republicans joined the 29 Democratic representatives in approving the bill. Wednesday’s vote makes the body’s third attempt in three weeks to take steps at repealing the 1864 statute banning abortion except in the instances of “immediate” life-threatening conditions for the mother.
The 160-year-old law, which predated Arizona’s statehood, was upheld by the state Supreme Court on a legal technicality involving the state’s 15-week abortion ban that was passed following the unprecedented leak of the drafted Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in May 2022.
The slim Republican majorities in the state House and Senate have held firm for several weeks, attempting to block repeal efforts for the abortion ban. Last week, state Senate Democrats, along with two Republicans, voted in favor of a motion to introduce a bill that would repeal the 1864 law.
Following Wednesday’s House vote, the rules of the Senate will require that the bill be read on the floor on three occasions and in three separate sessions. This means that the final bill will not likely be passed until next month at the earliest.
more
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/healthcare/2978343/arizona-house-passes-bill-repeal-civil-war-era-abortion-ban/
