On the recordApril 9, 2024
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all Arizonans, tonight, I am angry. Today, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld an 1864 law, passed before Arizona was a State, before women could even vote, that bans abortion at every stage of pregnancy without exceptions for rape or incest. It puts women's lives at risk. Recently, a constituent of mine shared a story of her close friend. She went into preterm labor at just 20 weeks, and her doctors had devastating news. Her baby wasn't viable. However, under Arizona's draconian abortion laws, she was told she would have to wait until her baby's heart stopped or she became seriously infected before her medical team would be allowed to intervene. She was in pain and scared, scared she could suffer future infertility or even die. This is the devastating reality of a post-Roe America, politicians deciding who can receive healthcare and when, not families and their doctors. Additionally, extremists in this Congress continue to block a vote on the Women's Health Protection Act, which would restore the Federal right to an abortion. It is unforgivable, and Arizonans will remember in November. ____________________