Some Republicans Split Over Revived 1864 Arizona Abortion Law
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Arizona's Supreme Court revived an 1864 law this week banning most abortions with few exceptions. Some Republicans support it, but others don't.
In Support: "In my opinion, removing healthy babies from healthy mothers is not health care nor reproductive care," said state Republican Rep. Teresa Martinez. "Pregnancy is not an illness. It should be celebrated. It is an abortion that terminates life."
Opposed: State Rep. Matt Gress (R) made a failed motion Wednesday to repeal the law, saying it's "not reflective of the values of the vast majority of our electorate, regardless of political affiliation." Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday he believes the law will "be straightened out," and that "the governor and everybody else are going to bring it back within reason."
What It Means: Abortion is quickly becoming a top issue again as the 2024 presidential election approaches. In swing states like Arizona, it could prove decisive.
How the Media Covered It: Left-rated outlets covered the story more prominently than right-rated sources did, and often framed the law as a loss for Republicans and Trump. Some across the spectrum suggested Trump's support for states' rights in deciding abortion laws may have backfired.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Center
Arizona House Republicans halt Democrats' effort to overturn 1864 law
Chaos erupted in the Arizona House on Wednesday as Democrats attempted to repeal the 1864 near-total abortion ban, only to be thwarted by the Republican majority.
The raucous event, unusual for the chamber, came a day after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that Arizona's Civil War-era abortion law stands and laid bare the raw feelings and political divisions swirling around the issue.
The fracas started when Rep. Matt Gress, a Phoenix Republican from a crucial swing district, tried to initiate a vote on repealing the law. He was cut short by a...
From the Right
Arizona Supreme Court abortion ruling supercharges 2024 race
Former President Donald Trump‘s attempt to handle the abortion problem plaguing the GOP delicately backfired in the wake of an Arizona Supreme Court ruling that upheld a Civil War-era law banning the majority of abortions in the state.
Trump stated that in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision striking down Roe v. Wade, states had the responsibility to determine when to restrict or allow abortion access.
But the Arizona ruling on Tuesday allowing an 1864 law that has no exceptions for rape or incest and punishes abortion providers with a prison sentence to be...
From the Left
Shouts of ‘Shame! Shame!’ erupt in Arizona House as fight over abortion ban engulfs lawmakers
The Arizona Legislature devolved into shouts of “Shame! Shame!” on Wednesday as Republican lawmakers quickly shut down discussion on a proposed repeal of the state’s newly revived 1864 law that criminalizes abortion throughout pregnancy unless a woman’s life is at risk.
The state Supreme Court cleared the way on Tuesday for enforcement of the pre-statehood law. Arizona abortion providers vowed Wednesday to continue service until they’re forced to stop, possibly within weeks.
State legislators convened as pressure mounted from Democrats and some Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, for them to...
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