California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Sunday that state lawmakers will be introducing a bill this week to provide support for women who are traveling from Arizona in order to seek abortion care. This move comes as a response to the implementation of one of the most stringent abortion regulations in the United States.
An 1864 abortion law, which was recently upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court, will enforce strict restrictions on access to the procedure, effectively eliminating it in almost all cases as of May 1. Although some national Republicans have urged for a replacement law that is less stringent, efforts to overturn the existing law have been rejected by state lawmakers.
During an interview with Jen Psaki on MSNBC, Newsom expressed his strong disapproval of the Arizona law, stating that it deeply troubles him.
“They are celebrating a ban that dates all the way back to 1864 in the state of Arizona. It’s quite astonishing that the Republican Party, which claims to be focused on progress and innovation, seems to be yearning for a return to the 19th century instead of embracing the advancements of the 21st century,” he remarked.
Arizona abortion providers can now quickly obtain approval to practice in California under new “emergency legislation.” This enables them to continue offering their services in the neighboring state without delay.
Governor Newsom did not provide specific details about the timeline for introducing the bill or his strategy for getting it passed in the Legislature before the summer recess.
According to the governor’s office, the initiative was prompted by a call to action from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D).
According to a statement from the office of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, there is a recognized need to streamline the process for Arizona abortion providers to ensure they can continue offering care to patients from Arizona who seek abortion services in California. In response to this need, the office is taking action and plans to provide further information in the near future.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is also campaigning for President Biden’s reelection, highlighted the increasing emphasis on Arizona due to the rising significance of abortion rights in the upcoming November election.
The campaign aims to prioritize Arizona and Nevada in terms of electoral strategy, recognizing the significant impact these states could have on the outcome of the election.
Abortion-related ballot measures are set to appear on the ballot in Arizona this November. Additionally, several other states, including the crucial swing state of Nevada, have also been pushing for similar ballot measures. It is worth noting that such efforts have proven to be beneficial for Democrats in previous elections, leading to gubernatorial victories even in traditionally conservative states like Kansas and Kentucky.
