Why is it important?
If the bill passes the Senate, it goes to the governor’s desk. His approval, if granted, would dramatically reduce women’s abortions in the state and across the region.
Most Southern states passed a ban on abortion since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last June. But because the South Carolina legislature has not yet agreed on the terms of the ban, the state still allows abortions until 22 weeks pregnant.
Abortion providers say this makes the state an important access point for women in other Southern states, especially since North Carolina this week. Pass a law banning abortion after 12 weeks.
Opponents of abortion, as well as some pro-abortion legislators, worry that the state has become the destination for the procedure.
Background
The bill would examine the South Carolina Supreme Court’s January ruling that enshrined the right to abortion in the state Constitution and lifted the ban six weeks earlier.
That opinion was written by the court’s sole female judge, who retired shortly thereafter. The legislature replaced her with a man, who was supported by the conservative Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives.
Republicans are hoping that the new court will overturn the abortion decision, allowing for a stricter ban. But the House and Senate, although both controlled by Republicans, were unable to agree on drawing a line.
The House of Representatives is more conservative and has tried to pass a ban on most abortions starting at conception. The Senate has considered and rejected that bill three times this year, opposed by five women in the room – three Republicans, one Democrat and one independent. who call themselves “Sister Senator”.
The women have proposed a ban after the first trimester, or questioned voters’ right to abortion in a ballot initiative, but Senate leadership has rejected the measures. there.
What’s next?
Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican who supports the six-week ban, has summoned the Senate for its own special session next week to debate the House version of the bill.
The “Sister Sisters” have said they will film again, which could hinder a final vote on the bill.
While two of the Republicans in that group voted in favor of the six-week ban the Senate passed in February, they have said they cannot support the amendments the House has already passed. added to the bill.
