Arizona House descends into shouting match as Republicans block attempts to repeal Civil War-era abortion ban

The Arizona House descended into a shouting match after Republicans blockedattempts to repeal the state’s newly revived 1864 law that criminalizes abortion throughout pregnancy unless a woman’s life is at risk.

House Democrats erupted into shouts of “Shame! Shame!” on Wednesday as GOP leaders, who command the majority, twice cut off attempts to discuss a repeal of the Civil War-era abortion ban.

It came after the Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the Civil War-era law that criminalises abortion, and those who help women obtain one, over a 2022 law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks.

The 1864 law holds no exceptions for rape or incest.

The decision was met with outcry from citizens, Democratic lawmakers, abortion advocates and more across the United States who warned that it would harm access to necessary reproductive healthcare and providers.

Arizona House Democrats and at least one Republican joined in the outcry, with at least one lawmaker saying “people will die” if the 1864 ban remains a law in the state.

However, Republican state Rep Teresa Martinez argued there was no reason to rush the debate, and accused Democrats of “screaming at us and engaging in extremist and insurrectionist behaviour on the House floor.” The GOP-led Senate briefly convened without debate on abortion.

“We are navigating an extremely complex, emotional and important area of law and policy,” said Ms Martinez, the GOP House whip.

“In my opinion, removing healthy babies from healthy mothers is not health care nor reproductive care. Pregnancy is not an illness. It should be celebrated. It is an abortion that terminates life.”

But Democrats disagreed. “We know that the Supreme Court decision yesterday is extreme. And we know that