Henry McMaster on Abortion

	Henry McMaster on Abortion

Signed Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act

S474: Abortions may not be performed after a fetal heartbeat has been detected, with exceptions for medical emergencies, rape, incest, or fatal fetal anomalies.

Governor's statement in support (CNN 5/25): "The Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act will begin saving the lives of unborn children immediately," McMaster said. "We stand ready to defend this legislation against any challenges and are confident we will succeed."

Planned Parenthood statement in opposition (CNN 5/25): Senate Bill 474 bans most abortions before many women know they are pregnant. Any physician who knowingly violates the law will have their license revoked by the State Board of Medical Examiners and could face felony charges. A similar six-week abortion ban passed in 2021 but struck down by the state Supreme Court

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 82-32-10 on May/17/23; passed Senate 27-19-0 on May/23/23; Signed by Gov. McMaster on May/25/23

Source: South Carolina State Legislature voting records S474 , May 25, 2023

Confident that Fetal Heartbeat bill is constitutional

Unfortunately, the South Carolina Supreme Court delivered a temporary setback. In a 3?2 decision, the court struck down the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act. When I signed the Heartbeat Act into law, I was confident that it was constitutional. I still am. Therefore, I will be filing a petition for rehearing next week, along with other state officials, and I remain optimistic that we will prevail in our historic fight to protect & defend the right to, and the sanctity of, life. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature , Jan 25, 2023

Send me the heartbeat bill and I will immediately sign it

Ladies and gentlemen, the right to life is the most precious of rights--and the most fragile. We must never let it be taken for granted. For the fourth year in a row, my budget includes a proviso preventing the funneling of taxpayer dollars to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. And let this be the year that we further protect the sanctity of life--with the heartbeat bill. It's time to vote. Send me the heartbeat bill and I will immediately sign it into law. Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature , Jan 13, 2021

Prevent funneling of taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood

Today is the anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. The right to life is the most precious of rights--and the most fragile. We must never let it be taken for granted. For the third year in a row, my budget includes a proviso preventing the funneling of taxpayer dollars to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. You are considering two important pieces of legislation. Both will protect the sanctity of life--through heartbeat or personhood. Send them to me. Source: 2020 South Carolina State of the State address , Jan 22, 2020

Supports Personhood Bill, defining life from conception

The "Personhood Act" would define life as beginning at fertilization and extend constitutional protections to all unborn children, received a significant boost passing through the state Senate Judiciary Committee.

Earlier in the campaign, Catherine Templeton had distinguished herself from the rest of the GOP field by saying she believes there should be an exception for incest [but she has now switched to supporting the bill]. The board of Personhood South Carolina, an organization focused on promoting the abortion ban, said Templeton's view amounted to support for murdering unborn children based on the circumstances of their conception.

All four other Republicans in the governor's race have said they unequivocally oppose all abortions. One candidate, Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant, sponsored the Personhood Act when he was a state senator, and McMaster has vowed to sign it into law if it lands on his desk.

Source: Post and Courier on 2018 South Carolina governor race , Feb 27, 2018

Stop providing state funds to abortion clinics

The most important function of government is providing for the safety and security of the people. That extends to all life--born and unborn, young and old. I believe that human life begins at conception. That's why I directed state agencies Source: 2018 State of the State speech to South Carolina legislature , Jan 24, 2018

Budget shouldn't "contain a penny" for abortion providers

Gov. McMaster sent a letter to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control asking its board to "publicly reaffirm" its policy that keeps federal grant money from going to abortion providers.

"Health care services related to pregnancy care, fertility and cancer screenings may be offered in many ways, without state subsidization of abortion providers," he wrote.

The letter was followed by a Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant press conference in which Bryant challenged the Legislature to pass a budget that doesn't "contain a penny" for abortion providers. If next year's budget includes the funding, Bryant said he would not sign off on the state's spending plan. [Bryant does not have veto authority.]

When asked if his press conference was done to rev up the base before next year's primary elections, Bryant pointed to his previous work in the Senate against abortion. "I've been a pro-life activist my entire life and will continue to be," he said. "This is about defunding Planned Parenthood."

Source: The Post & Courier on 2018 South Carolina Gubernatorial race , Jun 6, 2017

Human life begins at conception

Henry McMaster has always believed that human life begins at conception and should be protected from conception to natural death. Henry will be a pro-life governor. In 1986, Henry became the first candidate ever endorsed by South Carolina Citizens for Life. As South Carolina Republican Party state chairman, Henry McMaster ensured that the pro-life plank in the state and national party platform was never undermined. Source: 2010 S.C. Gubernatorial campaign website HenryMcMaster.com , Jan 11, 2017

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