Opponents of abortion joined with some of South Carolina's most powerful Republican politicians to mark what they think may be the end of a long fight to pass a bill that would ban almost all abortions in the state.
South Carolina Senate passes bill outlawing most abortions
by Jeffrey Collins, The Associated Press
Posted Jan 28, 2021 1:57 pm EDT
Last Updated Jan 28, 2021 at 1:58 pm EDT
COLUMBIA, S.C. The South Carolina Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would outlaw almost all abortions in the state, overcoming years of hurdles thanks to Republican winning new seats in last year’s elections.
The 30-13 vote is likely the final hurdle for the bill. It has passed the House easily in previous years and Gov. Henry McMaster has repeatedly said he will sign it as soon as he can.
The South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act requires doctors to use an ultrasound to try to detect a fetal heartbeat if they think pregnant women are at least eight weeks along. If they find a heartbeat, and the pregnancy is not the result of rape or incest, they can’t perform the abortion unless the mother’s life is in danger.
South Carolina Senate passes bill that would ban most abortions
The South Carolina Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would outlaw almost all abortions in the state, overcoming years of hurdles thanks to Republicans winning new seats in last year s elections.
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A woman dressed in a costume from The Handmaid s Tale silently protests during a rally to maintain abortion rights, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, in front of the Statehouse in Columbia, S.C. A bill banning most abortions in the state passed the Senate Thursday. (Jeffrey Collins/The Associated Press)
South Carolina Senate passes fetal heartbeat bill outlawing most abortions
By Jeffrey Collins
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would outlaw almost all abortions in the state, overcoming years of hurdles thanks to Republicans winning new seats in last year’s elections.
The 30-13 vote is likely the final hurdle for the bill. It has passed the House easily in previous years and Gov. Henry McMaster has repeatedly said he will sign it as soon as he can.
The South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act requires doctors to use an ultrasound to try to detect a fetal heartbeat if they think pregnant women are at least eight weeks along. If they find a heartbeat, and the pregnancy is not the result of rape or incest, they can’t perform the abortion unless the mother’s life is in danger.