Arizona House advances a repeal of the state's near-total abortion ban to the Senate

PHOENIX (AP) — A proposed repeal of Arizona’s near-total ban on abortions won approval from the state House Wednesday after two weeks of mounting pressure on Republicans over an issue that has bedeviled former President Donald Trump's campaign to return to the White House.

Three Republicans joined in with all 29 Democrats Wednesday to repeal a law that predated Arizona's statehood and provides no exceptions for rape or incest. If the Senate approves as expected, Arizona would allow abortions up to 15 weeks.

Their political ambitions imperiled by widespread opposition to a near-total abortion ban, Trump and U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake had urged Arizona lawmakers to ease the restrictions. But until Wednesday, most state House Republicans repeatedly used procedural votes to block repeal, each time drawing condemnation from Democratic President Joe Biden, who has made his support for abortion rights central to his reelection campaign.

“Make no mistake, Arizonans are living in 1864 now because Donald Trump dismantled Roe v. Wade,” Democratic state Sen. Priya Sundareshan of Tucson said in a news conference before the vote organized by the Biden campaign and the Arizona Democratic Party.

The repeal vote comes a day after Biden said Trump created a “health care crisis for women all over this country,” by imperiling their access to care. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the vote is a sign that "we’re moving forward in the right direction.”

Arizona is one of a handful of battleground states that will decide the next president. Trump, who has warned that the issue could lead to Republican losses, has avoided endorsing a national abortion ban but said he's proud to have appointed the Supreme Court justices who allowed states to outlaw it.

Dozens of people gathered outside the state Capitol before the House and Senate were scheduled to meet, then filled seats in the public gallery as lawmakers voted, many of them carrying signs or wearing shirts showing their opposition to abortion rights.

Arizona Republicans have been under intense pressure from some conservatives in their base, who firmly support the abortion ban, even as it's become a liability with swing voters who will decide crucial races including the presidency, the U.S. Senate and the GOP's control of the Legislature.

“I am disgusted today,” said Republican Rep. Rachel Jones, who voted against repeal. “Life is one of the tenets of our Republican platform. To see people go back on that value is egregious to me.”

State Rep. Matt Gress, one of the three Republicans who crossed party lines to support the repeal measure, said in a statement that the near-total abortion ban was “unworkable and out of line with the values of Arizonans.” GOP Rep. Tim Dunn said counterintuitively that his vote in favor of repeal was “the most pro-life vote I could possibly make" because, he said, backlash to the total ban would lead voters to support abortion even after 15 weeks.

The other Republican who supported the repeal measure, state Rep. Justin Wilmeth, didn’t return an email and phone call seeking comment on the vote.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and several lawmakers said Wednesday they'll push for legislation temporarily allowing Arizona doctors to perform abortions for their own patients in the neighboring state.

The Arizona Supreme Court concluded this month that the state can enforce a long-dormant law that permits abortions only to save the pregnant patient's life. The ruling suggested doctors could be prosecuted under the law first approved in 1864, which carries a sentence of two to five years in prison for anyone who assists in an abortion.

The law had been blocked since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision guaranteed the constitutional right to an abortion nationwide.

After Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, then-Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a Republican, persuaded a state judge that the 1864 ban could be enforced. Still, the law hasn't actually been enforced while the case was making its way through the courts. Brnovich’s Democratic successor, Attorney General Kris Mayes, urged the state’s high court against reviving the law.

Mayes has said the earliest the law could be enforced is June 8, though the anti-abortion group defending the ban, Alliance Defending Freedom, maintains county prosecutors can begin enforcing it once the Supreme Court's decision becomes final, which is expected to occur this week.

If the proposed repeal wins final approval from the Republican-controlled Legislature and is signed into law by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, a 2022 statute banning the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy would become the prevailing abortion law. Even so, there would likely be a period where all abortion is outlawed, because the repeal won't take effect until 90 days after the end of the legislative session, likely in mid-summer.

Planned Parenthood officials vowed to continue providing abortions for the short time they are still legal and said they will reinforce networks that help patients travel out of state to places like New Mexico and California to access abortion.

Advocates are collecting signatures for a ballot measure allowing abortions until a fetus could survive outside the womb, typically around 24 weeks, with exceptions — to save the parent's life, or to protect her physical or mental health.

Republican lawmakers, in turn, are considering putting one or more competing abortion proposals on the November ballot.

A leaked planning document outlined the approaches being considered by House Republicans, such as codifying existing abortion regulations, proposing a 14-week ban that would be “disguised as a 15-week law” because it would allow abortions until the beginning of the 15th week, and a measure that would prohibit abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, before many people know they're pregnant.

House Republicans have not yet publicly released any such proposed ballot measures.

Arizona House Minority Leader Lupe Contreras, left, D-Cashion, walks in front of Speaker of the House Ben Toma, R-Peoria, right, prior to the vote tally on the proposed repeal of Arizona's near-total ban on abortions winning approval from the state House Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Speaker Pro Tempore Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, speaks after the vote tally on the proposed repeal of Arizona's near-total ban on abortions winning approval from the state House Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Speaker of the House Ben Tom, R-Peoria, pauses while speaking as he watches the vote tally on the proposed repeal of Arizona's near-total ban on abortions winning approval from the state House, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, D-Tucson, left, gets a hug from Sen. Anna Hernandez, D-Phoenix, after the vote tally on the proposed repeal of Arizona's near-total ban on abortions winning approval from the state House Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

FILE - Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, sponsor of a proposal to repeal Arizona's near-total ban on abortion, speaks on the floor of the Arizona House in Phoenix on April 17, 2024. Democrats in the Arizona House are expected on Wednesday, April 24, to make another attempt to repeal the the long-dormant abortion law, which the state's highest court says can be enforced. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

FILE - The historic Arizona Capitol building stands, April 11, 2024, in Phoenix. Democrats in the Arizona House are expected on Wednesday, April 24, to make another attempt to repeal Arizona's near-total abortion ban, which the state's highest court says can be enforced. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

McKINNEY, Texas (AP) — Taylor Pendrith tried his best to ignore Ben Kohles’ final-hole meltdown, focusing on the eagle putt that the Canadian thought he might have to make even to force a playoff as he walked toward the 18th green.

Several stunning minutes later, a 3-footer for birdie gave Pendrith his first PGA Tour victory.

Kohles overtook Pendrith with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 for a one-shot lead, then bogeyed the 18th after hitting his second shot into greenside rough. Already in shock following two chips from the rough — the second with his feet in a bunker — Kohles missed a 6-foot putt that would have forced a playoff.

“Wasn’t really trying to pay attention to what they were doing, although it really mattered, obviously,” Pendrith said. “I feel for Ben. He played really, really good today, especially down the stretch. I’ve been on the other side of it a couple times, and it sucks. But it’s golf. It’s a hard game.”

Pendrith shot 4-under 67 for a 23-under 261 total at the TPC Craig Ranch. The 32-year-old won in his 74th career PGA Tour start.

Playing just north of his birthplace of Dallas, Kohles shot 66 to finish a stroke back. The 34-year-old who plays out of North Carolina is winless in 68 starts.

“Honestly, hadn’t seen any rough like that all week,” said Kohles, who moved to North Carolina when he was 10. “Just needed a little bit more umph on it. Did so many good things this week, and I’m just going to keep reminding myself of that and try to get myself back in this position.”

Alex Noren, a Swedish player also seeking a first PGA Tour victory, was another stroke back. He wowed the crowd on the stadium hole at the par-3 17th with a tee shot to 2 1/2 feet, but followed that birdie with a par knowing he probably needed an eagle on 18. Noren shot 65 and was alone in third at 21 under.

Aaron Rai and first-round leader Matt Wallace of England were at 20 under along with the South Korean pair of S.H. Kim and Byeong Hun An. Rai and Kim shot 64, An 65 and Wallace 68.

Pendrith, the third-round leader, and Kohles were separated by just one shot or tied most of the day. After Kohles made a 20-footer to take the lead on 17, Pendrith's par putt rolled all the way around the cup and went in.

“It just curled in, that putt on the last second there, which was unreal just to give me a chance,” said Pendrith, who set it up with a chip from an awkward stance with his heels hanging over the lip of a bunker, after saving par with another testy putt at the par-4 16th.

The victory qualified Pendrith for the PGA Championship in two weeks and next year's Masters. He's also in the next three $20 million signature events, starting next week with the Wells Fargo championship. Kohles and Noren also played their way into Wells Fargo with their Nelson showings.

With Wells Fargo and the PGA coming in the next two weeks, just three of the top 30 in the world ranking were in the field.

Jordan Spieth, the highest at No. 20, missed the cut for just the second time in 12 appearances at his hometown event. Defending champion Jason Day (22nd) and Tom Kim (23rd) didn’t contend, with Day finishing one shot behind Kim at 9 under.

Jake Knapp, the second-round leader who three years ago was working as a security guard in his home state of California, shot 70 to finish at 19 under. Knapp and Wallace were the only players in the top eight with a previous PGA Tour win.

The start of the final round was pushed back 2 1/2 hours because of overnight rain, and pairings turned into threesomes going off both tees with the players allowed to lift, clean and place shots in the fairway.

Wallace appeared to start a charge by chipping in for birdie at 12, the toughest hole of the week, and getting another birdie at the par-4 13th. A three-putt bogey on the par-3 15th stalled him out.

Rafael Campos, a 13-year journeyman from Puerto Rico who has spent most of his career on satellite tours, birdied five of the first six holes starting on the back nine to make the turn at 29.

The 36-year-old cooled off on his second nine before making a 48-foot putt from off the green for eagle on the par-5 ninth for a 63 that put him at 18 under.

Taiga Semikawa, a 23-year-old from Japan playing on a sponsor exemption, also finished at 18 after a 64.

Kris Kim, a 16-year old amateur making his PGA Tour debut, had a rough finish as the youngest to play a final round on tour in 10 years.

Playing his final nine on the front, the son of South Korean-born former LPGA Tour player Ji-Hyun Suh had four bogeys and shot 73 to finish 6 under.

Kim, who is from England, played on a sponsor exemption from the South Korean company and tournament title sponsor CJ Group.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Taylor Pendrith reacts after sinking his putt on the 18th hole to win the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Taylor Pendrith, center, holds his son Hayes after winning the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Taylor Pendrith blows on his golf ball before setting up for his tee shot on the fourth hole during the final round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Taylor Pendrith holds up the champion's trophy after winning the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Ben Kohles hits onto the 18th green during the final round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Ben Kohles reactsafter missing a putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Taylor Pendrith reacts after sinking his putt on the 18th hole to win the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Jake Knapp hits a tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Matt Wallace, of England, hits a tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Ben Kohles hits a tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Taylor Pendrith reacts after sinking a birdie from the sand on the sixth green during the final round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Taylor Pendrith hits from the sand on the sixth green during the final round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)