Arizona Supreme Court Rules 1864 Abortion Ban is 'Now Enforceable'

The Arizona Supreme Court upheld a 1864 law banning nearly all abortion procedures in the state.

For Context: The law was passed in 1864, prior to Arizona becoming a state. The Roe v. Wade ruling from the United States Supreme Court in 1973 overruled the law. The overturning of Roe in the summer of 2022 put this law back in the spotlight.

Details:  The law will not immediately go into effect. The court paused the ruling to allow for lower courts to hear challenges to the bill. Once this period is over, there is a 45-day delay before the law is enforceable. Previously, Arizona law banned abortions after 15-weeks. This law bans abortion at conception, unless the life of the mother is at risk. It does not include exemptions for rape or incest.

Key Quotes: The New York Times (Lean Left bias) quoted an attorney for a conservative Christian advocacy group stating, “Life is a human right, and today’s decision allows the state to respect that right and fully protect life again — just as the Legislature intended.” President Joe Biden called the ruling “cruel” and the result of “the extreme agenda of Republican elected officials who are committed to ripping away women’s freedom.”

How the Media Covered It: The New York Times framed coverage around the age of the bill, noting that it “was on the books long before Arizona achieved statehood.” The Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) framed coverage around Biden’s criticism of the ruling.