The S.C. House of Representatives on Wednesday again passed a near-total abortion ban and showed no signs of budging on its long-held stance. The bill included exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly and the patient’s health and life. The bill poses a possible impasse for GOP lawmakers.
S.C. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, said the upper chamber lacks the votes for the House’s more restrictive bill, and has instead advanced an amended version of the prior ban on abortion after cardiac activity is detected around six weeks.
“The House has taken another giant step in protecting human life,” said House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, and added that the House did not have enough votes to pass the “more lenient” Senate version, which passed last week.
The House believes its version is the only one that could withstand legal scrutiny. Earlier this year, the S.C. Supreme Court ruled that a similar law from 2021 violated constitutional rights in a 3-2 vote.
In other headlines:
Haley launches campaign at packed Charleston rally. Former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley announced her candidacy to run for president Tuesday, followed by a public appearance in Charleston Wednesday. Haley launched her campaign with calls for a generational change in Washington and a rejection of what she derided as “identity politics” dividing the United States.
Charleston considers Dockside condo evacuation amid safety concerns. Residents of Dockside Condominiums, the tallest building in Charleston, may be forced to vacate the 19-story harborfront structure by the end of February due to its poor structural integrity.
Court examines Murdaugh’s inconsistencies. A videotape discussion between disbarred lawyer Alex Murdaugh and State Law Enforcement Division agent David Owen was played before the jury, backing up much of what they had heard about the case already, according to media reports.
Charleston taking first steps in redeveloping shopping center. The Charleston Technical Review Committee is set to begin discussions on a plan to relocate the Publix at the Ashley Landing Shopping Center on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard across the lot and build multifamily housing in the existing space.
Charleston Co. teachers, principals ask school board to keep literacy curriculum. Several dozen educators, students and parents asked the Charleston County School Board to keep EL Education, a New York-based nonprofit that provides curricula and training to schools across the country.
- To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
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