McMaster, other SC leaders react to Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WMBF) - Officials and lawmakers in South Carolina have commented on the Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion.

THE LATEST | Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade; states can ban abortion

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called the ruling “a resounding victory for the Constitution” in a statement. He also said the state will file motions to so that the state’s Fetal Heartbeat Act will go into effect.

The law was signed in 2021, but face faced several legal challenges prior to the Supreme Court decision. Once in effect, South Carolina doctors would be required to perform ultrasounds to check for a “fetal heartbeat,” typically detected about six weeks into a pregnancy.

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If a heartbeat is detected, the abortion can only be performed if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest or if the mother’s life is at risk.

McMaster’s Democratic opponent in November’s election, former U.S. Congressman Joe Cunningham, called Friday “a dark day in American history.”

“The four walls of a doctor’s office simply aren’t big enough for a woman, her partner, her doctor, and the government. But the government has decided to force themselves in anyways,” he tweeted.

In his own series of tweets, Sen. Lindsey Graham called the court’s decision “a long overdue constitutional correction allowing for elected officials in the states to decide issues of life.” Fellow Sen. Tim Scott was also positive addressing the ruling in a statement, saying the Supreme Court “took an important step to protect the God-given right to life for millions of Americans by returning the power back to the people and the states, where it belongs,”

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson also commented on the decision calling it “a victory for life, the rule of law and local decision-making.

“I want to thank the Supreme Court for returning decision-making power to the people of each state. For almost 50 years, our country’s abortion policy was controlled by nine unelected judges. I have always thought Roe v. Wade was bad policy, was wrongly decided, and not supported by the Constitution,” Wilson said.

Other Republican lawmakers and leaders, such as state lawmaker and 7th Congressional District candidate Russell Fry and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley also praised the court’s decision in statements issued Friday.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state’s only Democratic representative in Washington, said the ruling “further establishes right-wing Republican justices’ radical disregard for individual rights & settled precedent.”

Gov. Henry McMaster’s full statement:

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a resounding victory for the Constitution and for those who have worked for so many years to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us. By the end of the day, we will file motions so that the Fetal Heartbeat Act will go into effect in South Carolina and immediately begin working with members of the General Assembly to determine the best solution for protecting the lives of unborn South Carolinians.”

Attorney General Alan Wilson’s full statement:

“I want to thank the Supreme Court for returning decision-making power to the people of each state. For almost 50 years, our country’s abortion policy was controlled by nine unelected judges. I have always thought Roe v. Wade was bad policy, was wrongly decided, and not supported by the Constitution.

“However, it’s important to remember that this ruling does not outlaw abortion nationwide, it simply allows the people of each state to decide. This office will continue to defend any law the General Assembly enacts in response to this decision.

“This ruling is a victory for life, the rule of law, and local decision-making. Human life is the most precious thing we have and our Founders sought to protect life, not destroy it.”

Joe Cunningham’s full statement:

“This is a dark day in American history. The four walls of a doctor’s office simply aren’t big enough for a woman, her partner, her doctor, and the government. But the government has decided to force themselves in anyways.

“Governor McMaster and radical politicians in Columbia have already pledged to ban all abortions in South Carolina with no exceptions for rape, incest, or life of the mother. The only thing standing in the way of this draconian reality is my veto pen.

“As governor, I won’t hesitate to use that pen to stand up for women and their right to control their own bodies.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham’s full statement:

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is a long overdue constitutional correction allowing for elected officials in the states to decide issues of life.

“Roe was Constitutionally unsound from its inception as the flawed legal theory behind the decision gives unlimited power to five unelected Supreme Court justices. I believe it was one of the largest power grabs in the history of the Supreme Court. Under the Roe theory, almost anything could be a constitutional right depending on the views of five justices on substantive due process.

“The issue of life will now be decided by elected officials in the states, the same way the issue was handled until 1973. Simply stated, this decision represents a constitutional reset.

“Finally, all these decades of toiling in the vineyards fighting for conservative judges has paid off. I am glad to have done my part in this cause. I also appreciate President Trump’s leadership in nominating conservative justices.

“On this historic day, I cannot help but think of dear old friends like former Congressman Henry Hyde. He and many others worked so hard to protect the unborn, and today their dream came true.”

Sen. Tim Scott’s full statement:

“Today, the Supreme Court took an important step to protect the God-given right to life for millions of Americans by returning the power back to the people and the states, where it belongs.

“A nation in which abortion is the ‘first and best’ answer for moms in challenging circumstances is a nation that has sacrificed its moral clarity and courage. America’s fundamental promises include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our support for babies and their mothers re-establishes those shared values that began to erode over the last several decades.

“Furthermore, I commend the Justices for their courage in the face of unprecedented threats and violence. Their commitment to the Constitution and refusal to bend to intimidation gives me hope for the future of our nation.”

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