South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley
Photo credit: AP
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H3114) cleared the final two hurdles in the South Carolina House Tuesday and moves on to Governor Nikki Haley for her signature.
The bill effectively ends abortion on demand in South Carolina and prohibits most abortions at 20 weeks after fertilization, the point when an unborn child can feel excruciating pain when aborted.
A compromise bill between the House and the S.C. Senate required a two-thirds vote in the House to then move on for final passage. Final passage of what is known as the “Free Conference Report” required a simple majority to pass.
The crucial vote for Free Conference was 86-27. There then was a pro-abortion attempt to filibuster the vote for final passage. However the filibuster was stopped by a vote for cloture — meaning basically to end the filibuster.
The final vote that sends the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act to Governor Haley’s desk was an overwhelming bi-partisan 79-29.
Pro-life Representative Greg Delleney, R-Chester, and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee was pleased with the outcome of the two-year legislative effort. “Today we increased the protection of the life of the unborn as a matter of South Carolina public policy by protecting those children in the womb who experience pain,” he said. “As medical science improves, 20 weeks is already approaching viability and to do anything less than protect a 20-week child in the womb is an authorization of infanticide. ”
Other pro-life House leaders praised the body’s action. Representative Wendy Nanney, the bill’s chief sponsor said she is “thrilled” with passage of the legislation “that will save more lives in South Carolina.”
Representative Donna Hicks, R-Spartanburg, another stalwart pro-life woman lawmaker, said, “Today is an historic day for pro-life in South Carolina. This bill when signed into law by the Governor will save unborn babies from being aborted after 20 weeks. I believe all lives are precious. Just one precious life is worth the fight and we will continue to fight until every child is safe from the threat of abortion.”
In other news, the ban on dismemberment abortion unanimously passed the House Judiciary Subcommittee on General and Family Law.
While it will not pass into law during this legislative session, it keeps the issue of protecting unborn children in high profile. Representative Donna Hicks, R-Spartanburg, is the chief sponsor.