The Arizona state Senate passed a motion Wednesday to introduce a bill repealing the pre-statehood abortion ban with some help from Republican members, although neither chamber voted on a repeal bill.

The chamber did not have their own clean legislation to revoke the law, so the pressure was on the House to act. That was until Sen. Anna Hernandez, D-Phoenix, made a motion for the late introduction of a bill.

Sen. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale, made a countermotion to table her proposal. Kern’s bid was shot down by a 13-17 vote. Republican Sens. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, Shawnna Bolick, R-Phoenix, and Ken Bennett, R-Prescott, joined Democrats to vote against it. Kern made multiple countermotions to recess or adjourn the chamber to further block an appeal, but they were rejected.

Hernandez’s motion for a late bill introduction passed with a 14-16 vote. This time around, Bennett voted with Republicans to oppose her proposal.

Legislative staff quickly drafted a new bill to repeal the abortion ban while the lawmakers worked through a collection of regular floor proceedings, such as third readings of bills.

The Senate’s attempt at a repeal came in the form of SB1734, which was brought forward for a first reading. Procedurally, the bill cannot get a second or third reading on the same day. So, the soonest a bill to rescind the abortion ban could leave the chamber is two weeks from now, if the Legislature stays on the once-a-week schedule it is currently following.

“What we did today, in the sense of emotion, happened under regular order, which is very important to me,” Shope said. “I don’t like doing things that are going to just upend the traditional respect for the institution.”

Shope said he was “absolutely” getting pressed by his Republican colleagues to change his mind on the repeal, but it was not unusual to him.

“I also have a bunch of emails in there (his laptop) about a bunch of bills we voted on today, and that comes from Democrats, Republicans and independents,” Shope said.

After the Senate had adjourned, Bennett explained the reasoning behind his change in votes.

“Right now, I’m not supporting a repeal, but two members of our caucus and the Democrats do support it,” Bennett said. “I think we need to move forward and get it done.”

Though he does not support a repeal, Bennett said he does think a repeal “gives us the best chance of defeating the Abortion Access Act.”

Earlier Wednesday morning, Democrats in the House attempted to put their repeal bill up for a vote but were blocked by a procedural motion from Republicans.

Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, D-Tucson, motioned for her bill, HB2677, to bypass House rules and be put up for a vote on the floor, similar to a move she did last week that was also blocked.

All 29 Democrats and Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, voted in support for the bill to be voted on but that was only enough to tie the measure 30-30. It needed a majority of 31 votes to pass.

“I am encouraged that very soon, potentially next week, we will have a vote to repeal,” Gress said. “Make no mistake about it, this law will be repealed. It will happen, it’s just a matter of time.”

Repealing the law would take a second Republican in the House to roll Speaker Ben Toma, R-Peoria, who said he doesn’t support the bill. No other Republican in the House was willing to be the 31st vote to override House rules Wednesday.

“The only way I would be willing (to put the bill up for a vote) is if a majority of my caucus wants that,” Toma said.

Only a few Republicans have publicly stated they support repealing the abortion ban, but Stahl- Hamilton expressed optimism that Democrats could convince more Republicans to vote with them on a procedural motion and allow her bill to be voted on.

While House members voted on the motion Wednesday, Stahl Hamilton and Gress were seen talking with other Republicans, including Reps. Tim Dunn, R-Yuma; Michael Carbone, R-Buckeye; and Justin Wilmeth, R-Phoenix.

“There’s a window, there’s a space where if we can figure out how to do it procedurally, we can get it done,” Stahl-Hamilton said.

Dunn said after the House adjourned that he made a commitment to his caucus that he would continue to have discussions on the issue.

“My commitment was to my caucus,” Dunn said.

Rep. David Cook, R-Globe, said last week he supports repealing the abortion ban, but he didn’t vote to roll Toma Wednesday.

Democrats in the House attempted to override House rules twice. Rep. Alma Hernandez, D-Tucson, made the same motion as Stahl-Hamilton immediately after the first motion failed, leading to the same 30-30 tie.

While Toma has stressed patience to members on the issue since bills don’t take effect until 90 days after the legislative session ends, Democrats expressed frustration that too much time has passed for this bill to be heard by a Republican legislative majority.

“We’ve had since 1864 to repeal this abhorrent law. And for the past six years, Democrats have introduced this bill … and have been ignored for every single one of them including this one,” Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Oscar De Los Santos, D-Laveen, said.

Instead, Republicans are seeking to put an alternative measure on the November ballot for voters. Preliminary plans, which include a “15-week Reproductive Care and Abortion Act” and a six-week “Heartbeat Protection Act” were accidentally released to all House members on Monday that indicate Republicans intend to dilute votes from the Arizona Abortion Access initiative

Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, said the caucus would soon release its ballot measure plan.

“Ultimately we must respect that on a decision as great as this, the ultimate folks who are going to make the call will be the people of the state of Arizona,” Kolodin said.

Gress said he is still considering the alternative ballot measures the caucus has discussed, but he also wants a repeal of the 1864 law.

“I don’t think we should be trying to deceive voters or to try to confuse voters. I think we should give them clear choices,” Gress said.

Stahl Hamilton said Democrats prefer a “clean” repeal but would be unable to stop a concurrent resolution against a united Republican caucus in the House and Senate since the measure would go to the voters instead of Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Toma said after the Senate introduced its repeal bill that it would meet the same fate as its House version if it got to the House.

“The truth of the matter is, I’d have to agree to bring it to the floor and I’m against abortion so I’m not going to agree to bring it to the floor,” Toma said. “Quite frankly, I don’t know how it’s different.”