"Arizona Lawmakers Face Opposition in Repealing 1864 Abortion Ban"

The Republican-controlled Arizona House of Representatives failed to advance a repeal of the state’s 160-year-old abortion ban, following the state Supreme Court's decision to revive the law. The vote is a setback for reproductive rights and GOP candidates in competitive races, with lawmakers voting against discussing the repeal bill on the House floor. If the 1864 law were repealed, Arizona would revert back to a 15-week abortion restriction signed into law in 2022. Democrats are hoping to flip control of the state House and Senate to codify abortion access and stop Republican interference in medical decisions. Abortion rights advocates have gathered signatures for a November ballot initiative to enshrine abortion access in the state constitution until fetal viability, while both supporters and opponents gathered outside the statehouse for rallies.