In recent years, the fight for access to abortion has become a hot-button issue across the United States. With restrictive laws being passed in several states, including Alabama and Georgia, many women are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain late term, legal abortions. Now, South Carolina may be the next state to enter this contentious battleground. Recent developments in South Carolina could impact access to abortion throughout the country as S.C. House Republicans work tirelessly to thwart a Republican S.C. Senate Filibuster by Senator Penry Gustafson, Sandy Senn, and S.C. Senator Katrina Shealy.
Nearby states are now coming to South Carolina for abortions
As abortion access becomes increasingly restricted in neighboring states, South Carolina is becoming a key battleground state for reproductive rights. While the state has yet to pass any major restrictions on abortion, it has become a target for pro-abortion groups who hope to make it the next battleground state in their fight to limit a ban on the procedure.
Abortion access is already highly restricted in many states surrounding South Carolina. Georgia, for example, has a 20-week abortion ban in place, North Carolina bans abortion after 20 weeks, 6 days, however, many providers stop offering abortion earlier in pregnancy. A 12 week abortion ban is currently headed to the N.C. governor’s desk for signature.
This means that women in these states often have to travel long distances and pay high out-of-pocket costs in order to get an abortion.
S.C. has seen an increase of 25% more abortions from these states as 3 Republican Senators are holding up pro life legislation.
THIS COULD CHANGE TOMORROW
South Carolina’s relative lack of restrictions makes it an attractive option for women seeking abortions. However, there is no guarantee that the state will remain accessible for much longer. The S.C. House is working late into tonight. One key Representative told us the House hoped to have a pro-life bill voted through and on its way to the Senate tomorrow.
It’s clear that the battle over abortion access is far from over, and South Carolina is likely to be a key battleground state in the fight.
Are Republicans really holding up S.C.’s pro-life bill?
As the New York Times reports:
“There’s got to be gray area,” said Senator Penry Gustafson, one of the key Republicans holding up pro-life legislation in the S.C. Senate.
The three Republican women are white, the two others Black, and all describe themselves holding deep religious faith? They are all mothers, and several have fostered children or supported relatives or other young people through college, and they say their experience of pregnancy informs their views on abortion.
All the women support the right to abortion, but with some restrictions, though they vary on gestational limits: Senator Margie Bright Matthews, a Democrat, and Senator Mia McLeod, who left the Democratic Party this year, lean toward codifying Roe, which allowed some right to abortion up until fetal viability, around 24 weeks.
South Carolina State Senator Penry Gustafson and Sandy Senn would prefer to restrict abortion after the first trimester, with exceptions. S.C. Senator Katrina Shealy said if it were up to her personally, she would leave the decision to women, their partners and their doctors: “Women know what’s best for their bodies.”
This is a developing story and MyrtleBeachSC News hopes to have an update tomorrow.