South Carolina on cusp of having tougher abortion law

By SEANNA ADCOX
Associated Press

COLUMBIA, SC (AP) – South Carolina is on the cusp of passing a bill prohibiting nearly all abortions past 19 weeks of pregnancy.

If it becomes law, South Carolina would be the latest of 15 states to pass restrictive bans whose constitutionality has yet to be ruled on by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Supporters believe a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks. Opponents argue such abortions involve wanted pregnancies that go horribly wrong, and that’s not for politicians to decide.

The ban would only affect hospitals as the three abortion clinics in South Carolina do not provide abortions beyond 14 weeks.

The bill will likely go to Gov. Nikki Haley’s desk in the coming weeks. The Republican is expected to sign it, though her office has not said whether she will.

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