South Carolina senators rejected a near-total abortion ban, marking the third time an abortion ban failed in the Republican-led chamber since the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade last summer. The bill would have banned abortion at conception, with exceptions for rape or incest through the first trimester, fatal fetal anomalies confirmed by two physicians and to save the patient’s life or health.
The chamber’s five women senators — Sandy Senn, R-Charleston, Mia McLeod, I-Richland, Penry Gustafson, R-Kershaw, Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington and Margie Bright Matthews, D-Colleton — filibustered the proposal.
“The only thing that we can do when you all, you men in the chamber, metaphorically keep slapping women by raising abortion again and again and again, is for us to slap you back with our words,” Senn said.
McLeod revealed in a previous debate that she had been raped and added during Thursday’s debate, “Those who continue to push legislation like this are raping us again with their indifference, violating us again with their righteous indignation, taunting us again with their insatiable need to play God while they continue to pass laws that are ungodly.”
Abortion remains legal through 22 weeks in South Carolina. Meanwhile, an abortion ban bill was also shot down in the Nebraska legislature.
CP OPINION: Enough with the hotels!
“Maybe the city of Charleston needs to take a cue from Monopoly: It’s time to stop allowing so many hotels. We don’t need any more hotel rooms. We have enough. In fact, we’ve got so many that even visitors spending money in restaurants and shops are feeling crowded. The streets are so clogged that it takes an ungodly amount of time to traverse the peninsula.”
In other headlines:
CP: Charleston musicians branch out of music. Four Charleston musicians branched out from the music industry to branch out into other fields like writing crime novels, carpentry, running a nonprofit and compiling animated art.
CP, Blotter: How many candles do you need? Three North Charleston women were described as having filled three shopping baskets with candles on April 14 and leaving a Tanger Outlets store without paying. Whatever ritual they’re planning with all these candles, it must smell wonderful — and we want in.
Gomes to be sworn in as new North Charleston police chief. Former North Charleston police chief Reggie Burgess is passing his role to Greg Gomes, who will be sworn in Friday as the department’s new chief.
Engineering company expanding, adding new jobs in Charleston Co. Defense Engineering Systems will invest $2.5 million to expand its Charleston County operations and create 45 new jobs.
Ritchie announces run for Charleston sheriff. Town councilman and former police chief Carl Ritchie announced he’s running for Charleston Co. Sheriff, becoming the first candidate to enter the race.
Charleston Co. schools open a learning pavilion at elementary school. The Charleston County School District is celebrating a new outdoor learning pavilion at a Wadmalaw Island elementary school, which will serve as an outdoor classroom and gardening center.
- To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
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