Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) argues that simply finding alternative solutions would not be enough to address the imminent threat posed by the potential implementation of a near-total abortion ban from 1864 in Arizona.
Gallego, a candidate for the state’s U.S. Senate seat, expressed his views to NBC News on Sunday, stating that “the damage is done.” He further emphasized that any initiative they pass at this point would not take effect for quite a while.
The Arizona Supreme Court made a decision on Tuesday, allowing the 1864 abortion criminalization law to take effect. The court sent the law back to a lower court to hear arguments. Under this law, abortion would be deemed illegal, except in cases where the pregnancy poses a threat to the patient’s life. Notably, the law does not include any exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
The law is not currently in effect, but it would override the state’s 15-week abortion ban.
According to Gallego, repealing the 1864 abortion ban would not be effective as it could potentially be overturned by another state House or state Senate in the future.
According to him, the most effective way to safeguard abortion rights is by officially recognizing and solidifying them through legislation and making them a part of our legal framework.
In a recent post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Gallego expressed her disappointment with the Supreme Court’s decision, referring to it as “devastating news for Arizona women, whose rights have been set back 160 years.”
Gallego wrote that he will continue to advocate for the reproductive freedom of Arizonans and will exert all efforts to safeguard abortion rights.
Gallego, a politician known for his seemingly progressive views, has recently adopted a more moderate tone in an effort to attract swing voters, as reported by The New York Times. Come November, he will be facing off against Kari Lake, the leading GOP candidate for Senate in Arizona.
