Fight Over Abortion Ban Engulfs Arizona Lawmakers

April 11, 2024 4:55 am

PHOENIX (AP) — The fight over a newly revived 1864 Arizona law criminalizing abortion throughout pregnancy unless a woman’s life is at risk has engulfed the state’s lawmakers. The Arizona Legislature devolved into jeering Wednesday as Republican lawmakers shut down discussion on a proposed repeal of the law. Shouts of “Shame! Shame!” erupted in the state House. The Arizona Supreme Court cleared the way this week for enforcing the pre-statehood abortion ban throughout pregnancy without exceptions for rape or incest. A proposed ballot initiative may ask voters in November whether to enshrine abortion protections into the Arizona state constitution.