SOUTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — South Carolina lawmakers are considering passing a stricter abortion ban. A lawmaker in the Palmetto state has filed H 3457, legislation that would ban the procedure at conception with few exceptions.
If 3457 became law, South Carolina would fall in line with a handful of other conservative states that have enacted identical bans that only allow for abortion to protect the life of the mother.
“As a society, we’ve done a terrible job recognizing the fact that babies in the womb deserve the same protection and the same chance at life,” said State Rep John McCravy, the bill’s author.
Current state law is a six week ban that allows exceptions for fetal anomalies and an abortion at twelve weeks for cases of rape or incest. None of those exceptions are included in this new bill.
“This is not a total ban; we hear this over and over again, we have numerous exceptions for life or serious health of the mother,” said McCravy.
Dozens of women and physicians testified before a subcommittee in Columbia on Tuesday. Those opposed argued that limiting abortion even further would do more harm to women’s healthcare in the state.
“There is nothing worse as a grieving mother who already knows she is going to lose her child to feel unsupported and disrespected by the state she has chosen to raise her family in,” said an opponent.
However, supporters of the bill said it reflects the public and electorate’s support for pro-life legislation.
“Science, medicine, natural law and moral law all disaffirm the necessity and rightness of abortion because it violates the integrity of the mothers, fathers, and child’s body and soul,” said a supporter.
The bill is still in the very early stages of the lawmaking process. It still needs votes at the subcommittee, and in committees and floors in both chambers before it can be sent to Governor McMaster.
