Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has made headlines by signing a historic piece of legislation that repeals the state's 1864 abortion ban, one of the oldest and most restrictive in the United States. This move comes after the Arizona Supreme Court revived the law earlier this year following the overturning of Roe vs. Wade.
In her remarks, Governor Hobbs expressed pride in accomplishing what 23 governors and 55 legislatures had not, emphasizing her commitment to protecting reproductive freedoms. However, the repeal will not take immediate effect; it is set to be implemented 90 days after the Arizona Legislature adjourns, likely by the end of June. Despite this, there are still legal challenges on the horizon.
Governor Hobbs has vowed to do everything in her power to prevent the ban from going into effect, stating that she trusts women to make the decisions that are best for them. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, has also asked the state's Supreme Court to put its order reviving the 1864 law on hold.
Once the repeal legislation takes effect, Arizona will revert to a 2022 law that prohibits abortion after 15 weeks, with exceptions for the mother's health and safety. This compromise has drawn criticism from some abortion advocates, who feel it still restricts their right to make decisions about their health.
On the other hand, some argue for even stricter abortion legislation and oppose Governor Hobbs' decision to overturn the 1864 ban. State Senator Jake Hoffman criticized the move, accusing Republicans of abandoning their principles to align with Democrats.