South Carolina Republicans are pushing forward with one of the strongest pro-life bills in the nation. The “Human Life Protection Act” would ban most abortions from the moment of conception and purposely excludes exceptions for rape and incest.
At a glance:
• South Carolina is considering a bill to ban nearly all abortions from conception, making it one of the most restrictive in the U.S.
• The proposed “Human Life Protection Act” would eliminate exceptions for rape, incest, and fatal fetal anomalies, only allowing abortions to save the mother’s life.
• State Rep. John McCravy, the bill’s author, argues that it is not a total ban due to exceptions for the mother’s life or serious health risks.
• A House Judiciary subcommittee held a hearing on the bill, drawing hundreds of attendees and dozens of testimonies, with liberals mostly opposing the bill.
• The bill requires approval from a subcommittee and the GOP-dominated state House and Senate before potentially being signed by Governor Henry McMaster.
Pro-Life Republicans Lead Charge to Protect the Unborn
South Carolina Republicans are taking action to further protect unborn children across the state. The proposed legislation would replace the current “Fetal Heartbeat Law,” which bans most abortions after approximately six weeks, with stronger protections beginning at conception.
State Representative John McCravy, who authored the Human Life Protection Act (H 3457), defended the bill’s narrow exceptions. “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,” McCravy stated during the subcommittee hearing.
The legislation specifically allows abortions only in cases of medical emergencies to prevent the death of the mother or serious and irreversible bodily impairment. McCravy emphasized that the bill “is not a total ban” because of these critical life-saving exceptions.
Strong Conservative Support Amid Liberal Opposition
During the House Judiciary subcommittee hearing, hundreds of South Carolinians attended to express their views, with supporters of the bill pointing to scientific and moral reasons to protect life. One supporter testified that “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.”
Mark Corral, another supporter of the legislation, was clear about his position on the gravity of what’s at stake. “Abortion is murder. Everyone knows it, and it should be prosecuted as such,” Corral stated during his testimony.
Despite significant Republican backing in the House, some GOP leaders have suggested a more measured approach, however. House Majority Leader Davey Hiott stated, “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.”
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