(LifeSiteNews) South Carolina’s Republican-controlled Senate has passed legislation banning abortion as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected, sending the measure to the state House for consideration.
The bill requires anyone committing an abortion to first perform an ultrasound to test for a fetal heartbeat. If one is found, aborting the baby anyway would be a felony for which an abortionist could lose his medical license. The bill contains exceptions for rape, incest, medical threat to the mother, or fetal anomalies deemed “incompatible with life.”
The state Senate passed the bill 30-13, The State reported, with one Republican and one Democrat each breaking ranks to vote opposite their party. The bill is expected to clear the GOP-controlled House without difficulty and be signed into law by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who has already declared his support.