NOS News•today, 01:25
Arizona’s state legislature has voted to roll back a strict anti-abortion law. Under this 1864 law, which was recently reinstated by the US state’s highest court, almost all abortions are banned.
The state Senate narrowly approved the rollback. Thanks to the support of two Republicans, the Democrats obtained a majority of 16 to 14. The Democratic governor must still approve the decision, but that is only a formality.
In a statement, Governor Katie Hobbs called the old law devastating. “Arizona women should not have to live in a state where politicians make choices that women with doctors have to make.” She looks forward to ratifying the reversal, three weeks after the controversial court decision.
According to the 160-year-old law, abortions are only allowed if it can save the woman’s life. An abortion for other reasons carries a prison sentence of up to five years. There is also no exception for rape or incest, for example.
Law may still come into effect
According to American media, it is possible that the old law will temporarily come into effect at the end of June. This depends on when the parliamentary session in the state comes to an end. An adopted amendment to the law will only come into effect ninety days later.
Before Arizona’s highest court reinstated the law a few weeks ago, abortions were banned after the fifteenth week of pregnancy. That will be the case again once the political process surrounding the rollback is complete.
Swing states
Abortion is a major issue in the presidential elections in November and Arizona is a swing state. The political battle over the old abortion law could therefore have a major influence on who ends up in the White House in 2025. This battle will almost certainly be between former President Trump and current President Biden.
Since the Supreme Court reversed the nationwide right to abortion in the United States almost two years ago, states have been allowed to decide for themselves whether or not they want to ban abortion. Arizona was the fifteenth state to (partially) ban the medical procedure.
The Republican support base consists largely of strict conservative Christians. Within this group there is fierce resistance to abortion, which is considered murder. While the Democratic base sees abortion as a right and is firmly against a ban.
