Republican abortion debate inches toward resolution in South Carolina

By JAMES POLLARD
Associated Press/Report for America

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The Republican-controlled South Carolina House has tabled debate until later Wednesday on a bill that would ban abortion as soon as cardiac activity is detected. The debate that began Tuesday comes after the state Senate rejected a proposal to nearly outlaw the procedure as as conception. The chambers’ disagreement over restrictions epitomizes fault lines that have developed between Republicans nationwide since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. The measure in the House would ban abortion when an ultrasound detects cardiac activity, around six weeks and before most people know they are pregnant. Opponents say a ban around six weeks is essentially an “outright abortion ban.”