For the second time in four years, the Arizona Senate has voted to restrict medication abortions.
The legislation would bar doctors from prescribing the drug known as RU-486 after the first seven weeks of pregnancy in accordance with current labeling approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The measure was approved despite testimony from a doctor who said it is safe through nine weeks.
A nearly identical 2012 law was declared illegal by a state judge. This version makes changes designed to get around that ruling.
Sen. Kimberly Yee, R-Phoenix, is pushing the proposal. "Arizona cannot tolerate the abortion industry putting profits before the health and safety of women," Yee said.
That argument is flawed, according to Senate Minority Leader Katie Hobbs, D-Phoenix.
"To say that this bill is about women's safety and is needed for women's safety is just wrong because we had medical experts testify to the contrary," Hobbs said.
The measure now goes to the House for debate.