In the ongoing battle over abortion rights in Arizona, Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego has emphasized the need for a long-term solution to safeguard the reproductive rights of women. Gallego opposes the potential repeal of Arizona's 1864 abortion law as an insufficient and temporary measure.

Gallego expressed his concerns regarding the implications of repealing the 1864 ban, which the state's Supreme Court recently upheld, effectively prohibiting the procedure statewide. He argued that any current initiatives to reverse the ban might not take effect for a significant period of time. Moreover, he pointed out that future state legislatures could easily overturn a repeal.

To address these issues, Gallego proposed enshrining abortion rights in the state's constitution through a ballot initiative. He asserted that this would provide the strongest protection for abortion rights and prevent potential reversals by future lawmakers. Gallego made these remarks after joining forces with Vice President Kamala Harris in a rally to advocate for securing abortion rights.

Under Arizona's state constitution, any new law would not take effect until 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. Emergency legislation, which could take effect immediately upon Governor Katie Hobbs' signature, seems unlikely due to Republican control of both chambers of the legislature. Therefore, supporters of abortion rights view a ballot initiative as a more pragmatic approach.

A coalition known as Arizona for Abortion Access, which includes the ACLU of Arizona and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, is working to put a referendum on the state's November ballot. Their proposed constitutional amendment would establish a "fundamental right" for individuals to receive abortion care until the 24th week of pregnancy, with exceptions if the health of the pregnant person is at risk.

The coalition announced that it had gathered over half a million signatures, exceeding the necessary threshold for the initiative to qualify for the November ballot. However, the signatures will undergo scrutiny from opponents of abortion rights, prompting organizers to aim for double the required number of valid signatures.

Gallego's campaign has actively contributed to the signature collection efforts, with volunteers going door-to-door to collect signatures. Senator Mark Kelly, also a Democrat, has supported repealing the abortion ban and echoed Gallego's call for both state and federal action to safeguard women's reproductive choices.

Despite the push for alternative solutions, Republicans in the Arizona Legislature might still face pressure to act at the state level in response to public sentiment about the ban. Former President Donald Trump recently urged state lawmakers to remedy the situation swiftly, while Republican candidate Kari Lake, backed by Trump, has been actively lobbying for a repeal.

Republican State Representative Matt Gress, one of the few Republicans to publicly oppose the 1864 ban, expressed confidence that the measure could be repealed in the coming days. However, the timeline for potential action by the legislature remains uncertain, with differing views among legislators regarding the need for careful consideration before rushing such significant legislation.

The Arizona House is scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday, April 17, when the issue of repealing the 160-year-old abortion ban is likely to be further debated. The outcome of these discussions will determine the next steps in the ongoing battle for reproductive rights in the state.