The South Carolina House passed a bill on Wednesday that bans abortions past 20 weeks. The bill, also known as the "fetal pain" bill, is meant to protect fetuses at that stage from feeling pain, The Post and Courier reported.
"I've always been pro-life," said Representative Wendy Nanney, a Republican from Greenville and the bill's primary endorser. Republicans argue that an unborn baby can feel pain at 20 weeks, however that belief is not entirely supported by doctors.
"I would rather err on the side of protecting that baby from pain," Nanney said according to the newspaper.
Women's health advocates say the bill could endanger the lives of those who are pregnant. Less than one percent of all abortions are performed after 20 weeks, or five months. If the bill is enforced, doctors may choose not to abort the fetus even if it's medically necessary, The Post and Courier reported.
"While no woman should have to justify her personal medical decisions, the reality is that abortion later in pregnancy is very rare and often happens under heartbreaking and tragic circumstances," Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Melissa Reed told the newspaper. "Politicians have no place in that conversation."
But lawmakers said the 20 week ban exempts women who are suffering from organ failure or are at risk of dying.
The bill has been sent to the state Senate for consideration. Democrats criticized Republicans for only being concerned about babies before they leave the womb, the newspaper reported. Republicans have consistently voted against increased funding for education and programs that help the needy.
"The role of government is not to be in the bedrooms of family in this state," Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a Democrat from Orangeburg, said according to The Post and Courier. "Why are y'all spending time on issues that appeal to a vocal minority?"
The "fetal pain" bill makes South Carolina the tenth state to have a ban on abortions after 20 weeks.
