AZ Senate’s Pro-life Vote Acknowledges Science,

Humanizes Laws

A Statement from Center for Arizona Policy President Cathi Herrod, Esq.

Preborn babies at 15 weeks gestation have fully formed noses, eyelids, and lips, as well as developing hearts, kidneys, and other organs. They suck their thumbs, and they feel pain. Today, those babies are one step closer to protection after the Arizona Senate passed SB 1164 by a party line vote of 16-13-1.

A 15-week limit on abortion would not only save lives, it would protect women from the emotional and physical harms of later term abortion.

At 15 weeks gestation, the preborn baby does flips, hiccups, and has regular sleep patterns, according to expert testimony. These babies deserve our protection; their mothers deserve the truth, and they are worthy of protection from the trauma, regret, and pain of abortion – also testified to in committee.

If the U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs upholds Mississippi’s 15-week limit, Arizona should be ready to follow suit and protect the lives allowed under law.

With this vote, these senators fall more in line with a majority of lawmakers in countries throughout the world who limit abortion after the first trimester. This vote acknowledges medical and technological advancements revealing the humanity of preborn life.

I thank SB 1164 sponsor Senator Nancy Barto, and all the brave lawmakers who stood for life today. I am hopeful the Arizona House will recognize it is time to keep up with science and humanize our laws.

SB 1164 now heads to a House committee for consideration. We will keep you informed and call on you to ask your representatives to support this important pro-life law. See our fact sheet on this bill here.