The South Carolina State House has proposed a bill that would prohibit most abortions if the fetus’ heartbeat could be detected, sending the legislation to the governor for signature.
The state chamber passed the controversial bill 79-35 on Wednesday and will conduct a final vote on Thursday before going to Governor Henry McMaster (R), who has pledged to sign it, the state said.
The legislation, entitled “South Carolina’s Fetal Heartbeat and Abortion Protection Act,” is intended to compel doctors to perform an ultrasound before performing an abortion to see if the heartbeat can be detected.
The fetal heartbeat can usually be heard between six and eight weeks of pregnancy, sometimes before women realize they are pregnant.
If a fetal heartbeat is detected, abortion is prohibited, unless the fetus was conceived by rape or incest, the mother’s health is in danger or the fetus has an “abnormality”. Doctors who perform abortions on those requesting the procedure due to allegations of rape or incest are required to report the alleged crime to the police.
Doctors who do not comply with the law may face criminal charges or have their medical license revoked.
The bill had already been approved by the state Senate last month, 30-13 at the start of the legislative session, which means that with the approval of the House you can go directly to McMaster. South Carolina’s upper house was able to pass without problems due to the GOP winning three seats in the last election.
Before the House vote on Wednesday, Democrats protested on leaving the House, as they did not have enough votes to prevent the legislation from moving forward.
“The Democratic caucus is here to proclaim that we are tired of it,” said minority leader Todd Rutherford, according to The State. “We are tired of hypocrisy. We care about life until death. “
“(T) Caucus Democrata will not participate in this farce that deals with life of lies”, he added.
Proponents of the project aimed to avoid any amendments to legislation that would require their return to the Senate for approval. Several Democrats have proposed amendments in hopes of delaying approval of the bill, but they have been rejected.
South Carolina Rep. Jonathon Hill (R) also tried to come up with amendments, including one that would have avoided the exceptions for rape and incest, but he didn’t deliver them in time.
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