What Happened:

  • The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that a 160-year-old, pre-statehood law criminalizing abortions except in cases where the mother’s life is in danger can go into effect, carrying a prison sentence of 2 to 5 years for anyone who performs an illegal abortion.
  • The 2022 law that allows abortions within the first 15 weeks of pregnancy does not repeal or restrict the 1864 law, which the court determined is now enforceable following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
  • Democratic Attorney General Kristin Mayes of Arizona announced that she would not enforce the ruling from her state’s supreme court upholding the 1864 law that bans most abortions.
  • A ballot measure set to be voted on this November could allow abortions up to 24-weeks of pregnancy, and activists have until July 3 to gather over 383,000 signatures to put a ballot measure forward that would amend the state constitution to enshrine a right to abortion.

What is Conservative Media Saying:

  • The court’s four-member majority, all appointed by Republican governors, ruled that the 1864 law is now enforceable due to the absence of a federal constitutional abortion right. [dailycaller.com]
  • Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, vowed that “no woman or doctor will be prosecuted under this draconian law,” while Republican Arizona Senate hopeful Kari Lake called for a “common sense solution.” [nypost.com, foxnews.com]
  • Some Arizona Republicans, including Senate candidate Kari Lake and Republican Arizona Reps. David Schweikert and Juan Ciscomani, have distanced themselves from the state’s controversial Supreme Court ruling, with Lake claiming the 1864 law was “out of step with Arizonans” and promising to promote pro-life initiatives in the U.S. Senate. [dailysignal.com, theblaze.com]
  • Former Republican Arizona governor Doug Ducey called on the state lawmakers to “heed the will” of the people and address the issue with a policy that is “workable and reflective of our electorate.” [dailysignal.com]
  • Former President Donald Trump announced that each state should follow “the will of the people” and pass state-specific laws on abortion, and he supports “exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.” [dailysignal.com]

What is Center Media Saying:

  • Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has called for the immediate repeal of the 1864 law, and abortion rights advocates are working to put a ballot measure in front of Arizona voters that would restore the right to an abortion. [apnews.com]
  • The ruling has been criticized by Democrats, who blame it on Trump’s appointment of three Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn the federally guaranteed right to an abortion, and by some Republican legislators who are calling for the 1864 law to be repealed. [apnews.com, economist.com]
  • The issue of abortion rights is expected to be a key factor in the upcoming elections, with Democrats emphasizing efforts to restore abortion rights and the possibility of enshrining abortion protections in the state’s constitution. [apnews.com, economist.com]

What is Liberal Media Saying:

  • Arizona’s highest court reinstated an 1864 law that bans nearly all abortions, including medication abortions, with no exceptions for rape or incest, and doctors could face fines and prison terms for providing care. [nytimes.com, cnn.com]
  • Abortion rights supporters say the measure will put women’s health in jeopardy, and clinics in Arizona could soon close, while some Arizona Republicans criticized the court’s ruling. [nytimes.com]
  • The issue could prove pivotal in the November election in Arizona, where Democrats make up 29% of the electorate and Republicans 35%, and the near-blanket ban is expected to send Arizonans seeking abortions to Southern California. [latimes.com]
  • President Biden condemned the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision to uphold an 1864 ban on nearly all abortions as “cruel” and “extreme,” calling it an “extreme agenda of Republican elected officials” and promising to continue the fight for reproductive rights and a restoration of Roe v. Wade. [nytimes.com]
  • Supporters of abortion rights in Arizona have gathered signatures for a November ballot measure to amend the state’s constitution and create a “fundamental right” to abortion, while abortion will also be on the ballot in Florida. [cnn.com, nytimes.com]

Media Sources:

  • New York Post
  • Fox News
  • The Blaze
  • The Daily Signal
  • The Daily Caller
  • One America News Network
  • Associated Press
  • The Economist
  • The New York Times
  • CNN
  • Los Angeles Times
  • NBC News
  • The Washington Post
  • Breitbart

Links: