Republicans in Arizona stopped a quick attempt to cancel a nearly total ban on abortion on Wednesday. This ban has been around since 1864, and the Arizona Supreme Court just said it’s a rule that can be followed.
Even though many in their own group wanted to end this rule, the Republican leaders in charge of the Legislature said they need time to think about it and listen to people’s opinions.
“The Supreme Court made its choice, and it was based only on what the law says – not on a policy decision,” Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma told ABC News.
They said the court’s decision won’t be in effect right away, and it might take a few weeks before it starts. So, they want to take their time to see what to do next.
The court’s decision got support from people who are against abortion and criticism from those who support reproductive rights. Even President Joe Biden called it “cruel” and blamed it on Republican politicians who want to limit women’s rights.
The president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Marjorie Dannenfelser, who is against abortion, said the court’s decision is a win for babies and their moms.
But some Arizona Republicans, like Senate candidate Kari Lake and former Gov. Doug Ducey, who supported less strict abortion laws before, didn’t like the court’s decision.
Both Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature have been asking to cancel this old ban, which has only one exception to save the life of the pregnant woman.
In the middle of all this, there was drama in the Arizona House. Democrats wanted to talk about canceling the ban, but Republicans stopped them by taking a break.
When the House came back, they voted to take a break for a week, with a very close vote.
One Democratic representative, Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, said this is a big decision and they can’t waste time.
But Republican Rep. Teresa Martinez said they need to take it slow and criticized the behavior of some Democrats who were chanting during the session.
Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said Republicans missed a chance to do the right thing for people in Arizona. She promised to keep fighting for women’s rights.