Arizona lawmakers repeal 1864 abortion ban
The state's policy was first enacted when Abraham Lincoln was president
What happened
The Arizona Senate voted 16-14 on Wednesday to repeal a pre-statehood near-total ban on abortion, sending the bill to Gov. Katie Hobbs (D). The state House passed the measure last week. Three House Republicans and two GOP senators — including the wife of one of the Arizona Supreme Court justices who reinstated the 1864 ban in April — joined Democrats in voting for repeal.
Who said what
Scrapping "this total abortion ban" is "just the beginning of our fight to protect reproductive health care in Arizona," Hobbs said. The 1864 law was the "best abortion ban in the nation," and calling yourself "pro-life" after voting to repeal it is the "epitome of delusion," said state Sen. Anthony Kern (R).
The commentary
The repeal is a "significant loss for the anti-abortion movement," which built up "outsized strength in the Arizona Legislature," The New York Times said. The 1864 ban was so "dangerous" to the GOP's political prospects, "everyone from Donald Trump to Republican Senate frontrunner Kari Lake (temporarily)" urged the Legislature to dial it back, said Talking Points Memo. For Democrats, it would have been "easier if Republicans just stuck to their guns" and "went down with their ship," Democratic strategist Matt Grodsky said to Politico.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Hobbs plans to sign the repeal Thursday. Ninety days after the legislative session ends this summer, abortion law reverts back to Arizona's 2022 15-week ban. Arizonans will likely vote in November on a constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion access.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Hamas and Fatah sign unity agreement in Beijing
Speed Read China brokered a reconciliation deal between the rival Palestinian factions
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The Earth just saw its hottest day on record
Speed Read July 21, 2024 was the hottest day in recorded global history
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Bob Menendez to resign after corruption conviction
Speed Read The New Jersey senator submitted to resignation pressure following charges of federal bribery and corruption
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Hamas and Fatah sign unity agreement in Beijing
Speed Read China brokered a reconciliation deal between the rival Palestinian factions
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Bob Menendez to resign after corruption conviction
Speed Read The New Jersey senator submitted to resignation pressure following charges of federal bribery and corruption
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Harris clinches Democratic support, raises $81M
Speed Read President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed her as his replacement
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Israel intercepts Houthi rocket after Yemen strike
Speed Read Just hours after its deadly strike on Houthi rebels, Israel said it shot down a Yemen missile
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
DHS opens review of Trump assassination attempt
Speed Read An independent panel will investigate the Secret Service's handling of the shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden ends reelection bid, endorses Harris
Speed Read The sitting president gave his VP full support to replace him atop the Democratic ticket
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Houthis claim drone attack on Tel Aviv
Speed Read The attack on the Israeli city killed one person and injured at least 10
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Deadly protests escalate in Bangladesh
Speed Read Students are clashing with police over the government's job quota system
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published