Abortion fight in Arizona: Leaked memo lays out possible Republican strategy on issue
PHOENIX - A week after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that a long-dormant law that criminalizes nearly all abortions can be enforced, a leaked memo is laying out the legislative strategy for Republicans at the Capitol over how to move forward in the coming months on the issue.
The 24-page PowerPoint, which was accidentally leaked by a lawyer for House leaders, discusses several paths for Republican lawmakers. One includes an initiative with the suggested title of "The Arizona Abortion Protection Act," which would protect the legislature's power to regulate abortion.
Some half a million voters have signed a petition to put the issue on November's ballot. Abortion rights advocates are labeling the leaked strategy as "deceitful" to voters.
MORE: Arizona abortion law: What to know as near-total ban from 1864 is restored by state supreme court
"The document presents ideas drafted for internal discussion and consideration within the caucus. I've publicly stated that we are looking at options to address this subject, and this is simply part of that," Republican House Speaker Ben Toma said in a statement to FOX 10.
The document shows Republicans are weighing options in responding to the recent Arizona Supreme Court decision.
One strategy, called phase one, promotes a voter initiative with a suggested title of "The Arizona Abortion Protection Act."
It would protect the legislature's power to regulate abortion.
"Their aim is to confuse Arizona voters and really grab power so that they are the ones who get to decide our medical fate and that’s just anti-theoretical to Arizona values," Chris Love said.
He's a spokesperson for Arizona for Abortion Access (AAA), a coalition that’s working to get abortion access in the state constitution.
The Republican PowerPoint mentions the AAA initiative is more likely to fail under their plan if the vote is split, and it dilutes the vote.
Love says AAA is focused on what comes next at the capitol, including efforts to pass a bill that would repeal the 1864 abortion ban.
Cathi Harrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, has praised the Supreme Court decision, and is calling on Republicans to back the ruling.
"We call on pro-life lawmakers to keep their word to the voters. During their elections of 2022, stated pro-life views, they were elected as pro-life lawmakers, we call upon them to not abandon the pro-life community," Harrod said.
Pro-abortion rights demonstrators rally in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 15, 2024. The top court in Arizona on April 9, 2024, ruled a 160-year-old near total ban on abortion is enforceable, thrusting the issue to the top of the agenda in a key US pres (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)