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SC House passes 6-week abortion bill

South Carolina Rep. John McCravy, R-Greenwood, prays before the House begins debating an abortion bill on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
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AP
South Carolina Rep. John McCravy, R-Greenwood, prays before the House begins debating an abortion bill on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

South Carolina is a step closer to having a six-week abortion law again.

Following two days and nights of extended debate this week, Republicans in the House of Representatives managed to pass the so-called heartbeat bill. It would ban most abortions once a heartbeat is detected roughly six weeks into a pregnancy. It contains exceptions for rape and incest, if a mother’s health is endangered, and for fatal, fetal anomalies.

It's similar to the heartbeat law the State Supreme Court overturned earlier this year. Supporters hope they have made adjustments to this bill that will pass another court test.

The Senate passed the bill earlier this legislative session, but changes by the House mean it must return to the Senate for its’ approval. If the changes can be agreed upon, it will go to Gov. McMaster who has indicated he’ll sign it.

The bill passed in the House mostly along party lines. Democrats attempted to attach over 900 amendments to it. All were either defeated or ruled out of order.

As Greenwood Republican John McCravy pointed out during debate, "it marks the third time since 2019 that Republicans in the House have passed a bill they feel protects life."

Democrats like Rosalyn Henderson-Myers said once again Republicans insisted on making decisions, "that should be left to a woman, her family, and her doctor."

The Senate meets Tuesday to once again consider the proposed heartbeat law.

Russ McKinney has 30 years of experience in radio news and public affairs. He is a former broadcast news reporter in Spartanburg, Columbia and Atlanta. He served as Press Secretary to former S.C. Governor Dick Riley for two terms, and for 20 years was the chief public affairs officer for the University of South Carolina.