Three Republican lawmakers in the Arizona House of Representatives made a surprising move on Wednesday by joining forces with Democrats to vote in favor of repealing the state’s long-standing ban on almost all abortions. This controversial ban, which was first implemented way back in 1864, was recently revived by a court ruling. It’s worth noting that the ban only allows for exceptions in cases where the life of the pregnant woman is at risk.
The vote ultimately ended with a close margin of 32 to 28.
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“I’ve been aware for some time now that the votes were present, but it requires a great deal of courage and determination,” said Democratic state Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, the sponsor of the bill, in a conversation with ABC News’ Jaclyn Lee.
Hamilton expressed cautious optimism after having several phone conversations with Republicans the night before the vote. While she did not disclose the specifics of these conversations, they left her feeling hopeful.
“The world’s attention was focused on Arizona, and that’s not an exaggeration. These are crucial decisions that hold significant importance for the people. If you were to speak to individuals in these districts, you would discover that they are actively engaging and advocating for the interests of their constituents. This is precisely what they were elected to do,” emphasized Hamilton.
The bill is now making its way to the state Senate, with the possibility of being taken up next week.
State Representative Matt Gress, one of the three Republicans who aligned themselves with Democrats, has called on his Senate counterparts to prioritize the issue at hand without delay. Speaker Ben Toma responded to this by removing Gress from his appropriations committee assignment.
In a statement, he firmly rejects the misleading idea propagated by extreme factions on both ends of this matter. He firmly believes that it is possible to honor and safeguard women while also advocating for the protection of unborn life.
State Rep. Tim Dunn, a Republican who supported the repeal, acknowledges that the 1864 law is flawed as it lacks exceptions for cases of rape and incest. In response to their vote for repeal, an anti-abortion organizer has announced plans to campaign against Dunn, Gress, and state Rep. Justin Wilmeth in the upcoming primaries.
On Wednesday, the Senate proceeded with a second reading of its own bill to repeal the abortion ban. This was done without any objections, paving the way for a parallel vote. However, it is likely that this vote will no longer be necessary since the House bill has already been approved.
Two Republican senators have already expressed their support for the repeal effort, indicating that the House bill is likely to pass in that chamber and eventually reach Gov. Katie Hobbs’ desk for her signature.
The abortion ban will be repealed 90 days after the legislative session ends, which must occur before June 30.
“This ban’s existence is a stain on history, harkening back to a time when the age of consent was a mere 10 years old and when women were denied the right to vote,” voiced state Sen. Eva Burch, a passionate Democrat. She expressed her sentiments to ABC News’ Elizabeth Schulze during a previous attempt to pass the repeal bill in the state House.
In a video statement shared on social media earlier this month, Lake expressed her disagreement with the Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling on the complete ban on abortion, stating that it does not align with the views of the state’s residents.
During Wednesday’s session, GOP state Rep. Alexander Kolodin criticized the entire body, including both Republicans and Democrats, for their decision to proceed with the matter due to political pressures. He drew a parallel between abortion and the act of killing “infants.”
He emphasized the significance of politics, acknowledging its importance in our lives. However, he also emphasized the need to prioritize our moral values and not let politics consume our souls.
The issue will most likely be presented directly to voters during the upcoming November election.
The Arizona for Abortion Access campaign is actively working towards placing a potential constitutional amendment on the state’s ballot to protect and ensure access to abortion. Democrats view this initiative as a significant opportunity to energize and mobilize voters, considering the historical success of abortion access as an election issue since the overturning of Roe v. Wade’s nationwide protections in 2022.
According to a spokesperson, the campaign has collected over 500,000 signatures, exceeding the required threshold. They are determined to keep collecting signatures “until the wheels fall off.”
