By Holly Gatling, executive director, South Carolina Citizens for Life
South Carolina State Representative Wendy Nanney
By a strong majority, the South Carolina House Judiciary Committee Tuesday passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H 4223), moving the life-protecting law to the full S.C. House.
H 4223 is modeled after National Right to Life’s similar law that has already passed in 10 states.
The bill’s chief sponsor, Representative Wendy Nanney said, “I am excited about taking the next step to seeing South Carolina pass the Fetal Pain bill. I am very grateful for all the support and prayers offered today.” Mrs. Nanney, R-Greenville, is the mother of five children.
Supporters of the bill wore colorful tags with a photo of a baby at 20 week prenatal age. The text of the tags states: “Stop Unborn Pain. You can feel pain. So can this child. Pass H 4223, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.”
Erroneously called a “20-week abortion ban” by the “mainstream” press, the bill is not based on the baby’s age but the baby’s ability to feel pain. It is a public policy law that creates a compelling state interest in protecting unborn children who are capable of feeling pain from death by abortion.
ACTION NEEDED: Please contact your member of the SC House of Representatives and urge him or her to vote for H 4223 with no amendments. For contact information go to scstatehouse.gov. Go to House and then members. If you do not know who your House member is, the website provides a link in which you type in your address. Or you can contact the SC Citizens for Life office for assistance.