The South Carolina Supreme Court temporarily blocked the state’s six-week abortion ban from taking effect Wednesday, the same day the state legislature introduced legislation for a near-total ban on medical practice.
The state superior court ruled Wednesday to temporarily block enforcement of the state’s current law, which bans abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. I recognize the general authority of Congress to make decisions on the matter, subject only to the restrictions imposed by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of South Carolina.”
The decision was applauded by abortion rights advocates.
“Today the court gave the patient a welcome reprieve, but the battle to restore bodily autonomy to the people of South Carolina is far from over. I will never stop fighting for my right to make my own decisions about my body and my future.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, a Republican, said he was “disappointed” by the outcome, but said the ruling was only temporary.
“We are disappointed, but it is important to point out that this is a temporary injunction. We will continue to protect the ,” he said in a statement.
The court’s ruling came on the same day that the state legislature introduced another law that would almost completely ban abortions in the state. Under the bill, abortions would only be permitted if the patient’s life or health was in danger.
Physicians were allowed very limited exceptions to legally provide abortions in South Carolina, otherwise they risked breaking the law by performing the procedure. is not prosecuted under the law.
