New legislation that would effectively end abortion in the state has lawmakers divided, as the South Carolina Supreme Court prepares to rule the current abortion law
House legislators in South Carolina introduced a controversial bill earlier this year that would dramatically limit South Carolinians’ access to abortion, sparking intense debates between legislators and advocacy groups.
- 3457, or the Human Life Protection Act, would make it a felony to provide any means of abortion to a pregnant woman, except when necessary to save the mother’s life. Violators would be fined $10,000 or imprisoned for up to two years.
In its current form, the bill makes no exception for rape or incest.
South Carolina already has some of the strictest abortion laws in the nation. Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Republican lawmakers passed the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act. Under this current law, abortion is banned after cardiac activity is detected in the fetus, which typically occurs six weeks after conception.
Several South Carolina doctors filed a federal lawsuit over the state’s current abortion law earlier this year, citing its unconstitutionally vague language. Members of Planned Parenthood also spoke before the South Carolina Supreme Court in February.
While legal battles heat up over existing rules, Republican lawmakers continue to push legislation that would effectively eliminate abortion in the state.
Over three dozen Republicans sponsored the bill, although Majority Leader Davey Hiott urged his caucus to wait on any new legislation while the State Supreme Court hears a legal challenge against current abortion law.
“While my steadfast pro-life view is unwavering, and while the vast majority of members of our Republican caucus share this same commitment, I believe we should consider the importance of waiting for any guidance that may be forthcoming from the Supreme Court,” Hiott said in a statement.
Despite Rep. Hiott’s urging caution, State Republicans have pushed forward aggressive legislation. Earlier in December, State Republicans in the House introduced legislation that would classify abortion as homicide.
State Democrats have attacked these recent bills. In a statement published online, Democratic Reps. Spencer Wetmore and Justin Bamberg blasted the Human Life Protection Act for limiting women’s freedom to choose.
“This is a bill that goes too far for some South Carolinians, and not far enough for others,” Rep. Wetmore said about an individual who urged the State to ban contraceptives next.
Rep. Bamberg delivered an especially fiery remark, saying, “This bill is an endorsement of rape and incest in South Carolina. Not just for women, but for children. It’s terrible.”
Addressing his Republican colleagues directly, Rep. Bamberg said, “Mind your own business. It’s that simple.”
State Democrats aren’t just fighting online. On the same day Republicans introduced the Human Life Protection Act, Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto introduced his own healthcare legislation.
- 27 would expand reproductive rights in the state while ensuring access to assistive reproductive technologies like IVF treatment. However, it’s unlikely Sen. Hutto’s bill will be brought to the chamber for a vote.
Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers of the State Assembly, making it easier for Republicans to pass their agenda. The Human Life Protection Act is currently sitting in the House Judicial Committee for review, and no timeline has been put forward.
Because the bill remains in committee, its final form could differ significantly from its current version. In a statement provided to the Johnsonian, the Winthrop College Republicans expressed their support for the bill, and said it affirms what they see as a fundamental constitutional principle:
“The Winthrop College Republicans value the constitution of this country, and in that document, all humans are defined by the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Much debate circles around whether unborn children should be included. We believe they should. An abortion is the intentional ending of the life of an unborn child, a human. Therefore, we support the penalties in this bill and think it is fair that mothers do not face repercussions.”
Regardless of the bill’s fate, the Winthrop College Republicans argue that more work needs to be done to support South Carolina parents.
“Currently, there is no law that requires private employers to give maternity leave to their employees, making it very difficult for mothers to have children and continue to be financially stable.”
Although the bill sits in committee, it’s clear that abortion will remain a defining issue in South Carolina politics. Winthrop students are encouraged to participate no matter where they stand on the issue.
