Grand Canyon Times

Catholic Vote President Brian Burch said the recent decision on abortion bans in Arizona “is a battle defeat for” efforts of the pro-life movement, but the “war goes on.”

"While this vote in the Arizona state house is a battle defeat for our efforts to protect human life, that war goes on,” Burch told Grand Canyon Times. “We all must be influencers on the topic of abortion so we get to where a solid majority of voters side with the pro-life movement."

The Arizona 1864 abortion ban that was recently resurrected by the U.S. is on the path to being repealed after the state house voted 32-28 to rescind it, according to ABC news. The bill is expected to pass in the senate and be signed into law by the state's Democrat governor. The bill passed the house with the help of three Republicans, with two Republicans expected to support the measure in the state senate.

While several other house Republicans objected to the repeal, the Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs and state attorney general made public statements saying they would not enforce the abortion ban. According to ABC News, "leading conservatives like Trump, former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Senate candidate Kari Lake have touted their general support for abortion restrictions but said the 1864 ban goes too far." 

"This total ban on abortion that the Arizona Supreme Court has ruled on is out of line with where the people of this state are,” Lake told ABC. 

Apart from this legislation, the issue is expected to be put before the voters in a statewide referendum in November. The Arizona for Abortion Access campaign has enough signatures to get "a potential constitutional amendment on the state's ballot to enshrine abortion access,” ABC reported. 

Madison, Wisconsin-based Catholic Vote is an advocacy organization that wants to “inspire every Catholic in America to live out the truths of our faith in public life,” according to the group’s website. Founded in 2008, its president is Brian Burch.