Hundreds Testify Against Near-Total Abortion Ban at South Carolina Statehouse

South Carolina's Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee held a lengthy and contentious hearing on Senate Bill 323, known as the Unborn Child Protection Act, which proposes to ban nearly all abortions in the state and remove exceptions for rape, incest, and fatal fetal anomalies, allowing abortion only in medical emergencies. The bill, sponsored by three Republican senators, faces significant opposition even within the GOP, with only three of 34 Republican senators as sponsors and notable resistance from some pro-life organizations and lawmakers. Testimonies included emotional personal stories from women affected by abortion restrictions and concerns from medical professionals about the impact on healthcare access, particularly in rural counties lacking OB-GYNs. Protesters gathered both inside and outside the Statehouse, reflecting deep divisions between advocates for women's reproductive rights and those prioritizing protection of unborn life. The bill's sponsors acknowledged the need for revisions, and the legislation's future remains uncertain amid ongoing debate. Advocacy groups like Planned Parenthood and the Palmetto Family Alliance have publicly opposed the bill's punitive measures and criminalization provisions, calling for alternative legislation that balances life protection with compassion and medical realities.