Tuesday, the South Carolina House of Representatives passed a bill that bans abortions except in circumstances of rape or incest.
By a vote of eight, the chamber first rejected the bill without exceptions. As soon as Republicans realized the conclusion, however, they initiated a series of intricate processes and votes to save the bill from the verge of defeat.
The bill was approved by a vote of 67-38 after enough legislators shouted “yes” to include exceptions.
The bill will undergo one more routine vote before proceeding to the Senate, where tighter abortion bans have been met with fiercer opposition.
The bill permits abortions up to 12 weeks after pregnancy if a woman reports being raped to a physician. The doctor must advise the victim that he will report the rape to the county sheriff and must provide the victim’s name and contact information within 24 hours of the procedure. It also permits abortions to save the life of a woman.
Some of the more conservative members of the House stated on Monday that they would not vote for a bill including the rape and incest provisions, but when it came time to vote, they changed their minds.
“However, here’s the thing: we ultimately passed a good pro-life bill in South Carolina,” said Republican Representative John McCravy, who shepherded the bill through the house.
After Democrats and these conservatives joined forces to keep the law as limited as possible, frantic legislative maneuvering ensued.
In addition to accusing Democrats of playing politics, Republicans voted against an amendment that would have permitted abortions for women carrying fetuses with life-threatening medical conditions.
“The women of South Carolina are playing with your bodies,” stated Republican representative Micah Caskey.
After Roe v. Wade was overturned, Republicans opted to call a special session even though Democrats stated they did not wish to debate abortion again after the General Assembly approved a six-week ban in 2021.
“It is not our expense. We are not attempting to govern their physical bodies “Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, a Democrat, stated.
The chairman of a non-profit organization that advocates for the health and economic rights of women was angered that Republicans viewed the argument as a game.
“We must stop viewing this as a political game and begin to recognize the impact it has on actual people’s lives. And I fear it has been lost today in the Statehouse “CEO of the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network Ann Warner stated.
Republicans, who have roughly twice as many members as Democrats, took an hour-long break right before the vote to secure the support of their most conservative members.
Other amendments rejected during the debate included language intended to preserve in vitro fertilization and birth control, as well as suggestions that would have permitted prosecutors to charge a woman who obtains an abortion with murder.
Approximately 100 people gathered in the lobby of the Statehouse for the debate. They screamed words such as “Abortion is health care” and “My body, my choice,” which caused passing automobiles to beep their horns. Tuesday, law enforcement officials closed the House gallery.
Currently, South Carolina has a six-week ban on abortions, but the South Carolina Supreme Court delayed the statute earlier this month pending a decision on a Planned Parenthood lawsuit alleging that the prohibition violates the state constitution’s right to privacy. The ruling maintains South Carolina’s abortion prohibition at 20 weeks for the time being.
Indiana passed a near-total ban in early August, which will go into effect on September 15 with exceptions for rape, incest, and if the mother’s life is in danger. In a July session, the House and Senate of West Virginia could not agree on tighter abortion regulations.
As of June, when the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy, thirteen states have enacted so-called “trigger” legislation that prohibit the vast majority of abortions.
These trends have been closely monitored by South Carolina’s authorities, as have the recent events in Kansas, where nearly 60% of voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have empowered the state’s conservative legislature to ban abortion. Kansas voters awarded 56% of their 2020 presidential vote to the Republican Donald Trump. Trump received 55% of the vote in South Carolina.
Currently, the measure allows abortions if the mother’s life is in danger and then specifies a variety of medical emergencies that qualify under this exception.
The Republican governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster, has not commented on this particular bill, but he has stated that he would like to see an end to abortions in the state.
“This is a solid beginning place for the Senate to begin its deliberations,” said Brian Symmes, a spokesperson for McMaster.
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