U.S. Senator Mark Kelly is pushing for a federal law to protect abortion rights in Arizona. He wants to stabilize the legality of abortion, which has been constantly changing in the state. Kelly visited Planned Parenthood Arizona’s clinic in Tempe and emphasized the need to restore these rights.
Kelly, a Democrat, is considering turning Roe v. Wade into federal law. He criticized the back-and-forth changes in Arizona’s abortion laws, which have caused confusion and fear among women. He mentioned the recent repeal of an 1864 law banning abortion, but this repeal won’t take effect until September due to legislative delays.
Reproductive rights advocates are working to delay the 1864 law’s enforcement until after a ballot measure that could protect access to abortion up to 24 weeks. Angela Florez, CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona, highlighted patients’ concerns and the impact of restrictive laws on healthcare providers.
Arizona currently allows abortion up to 15 weeks, with exceptions for emergencies but not for genetic abnormalities. Kelly noted that these laws not only harm women but also discourage future healthcare providers. The number of OB-GYN residency applicants in Arizona dropped significantly after Roe was overturned.
Kelly believes that passing federal abortion protections is the best solution. However, this may be challenging in the current divided Congress. He supported U.S. Senate candidate Ruben Gallego and emphasized the importance of reproductive autonomy in the upcoming elections.
He acknowledged that efforts to protect abortion rights may face filibusters in the Senate. Kelly expressed willingness to support federal grants for Planned Parenthood Arizona, despite the challenges posed by the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion.
The future of abortion rights in Arizona and the U.S. depends on the outcome of the November elections and the actions of Congress.