South Carolina lawmakers support a bill that could give women who seek illegal abortions the death penalty
Jackson Gosnell, Staff Writer
In South Carolina, women can be charged for getting an abortion illegally. South Carolina is one of just two states that has barred illegal abortions.
Republican legislators in South Carolina are debating a measure that would further the penalty for abortion. The new bill could make abortion subject to the death penalty in some cases.
A fertilized egg at the time of conception would be included in the definition of a “person” under the South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act of 2023, which would amend the state’s current criminal law.
The amendment would “ensure that an unborn child who is a victim of homicide is afforded equal protection under the homicide laws of the state,” according to the bill. That includes a death sentence in accordance with South Carolina law.
The measure makes exceptions for women who had abortions while pregnant if they were “compelled to do so by the threat of imminent death or great bodily injury.” However, there are no exceptions for rape and incest.
Supporters and protesters of the bill gathered in Columbia to voice their opinions. Many oppose the bill saying it is too extreme. Those not in favor of the bill believe that people who get an abortion should not be put to death.
South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace sounded off on the proposed legislation while addressing her colleagues.
“This debate ought to be a bipartisan debate where we balance the rights of women and we balance the right to life,” said Mace.
This measure is all but dead-on-arrival. It is not expected to have enough support to move forward. After widespread media coverage of the bill, many sponsors pulled back.
The debate about abortion has only increased in recent time following the Supreme Court’s ruling that abortion is not a constitutional right.
Some North Greenville University students said they support the bill.
“I think that abortion is murder, so I’d say a mother taking the life of their unborn child doesn’t value life at all, so they must not value theirs either,” said Kylie Horton, freshman.
