By Andy Brack 

Hundreds of demonstrators and national groups descended Thursday on the S.C. Statehouse grounds to protest, rally, and testify before House lawmakers considering new abortion-related measures in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. 

The discussions focused on whether a newly-enacted abortion ban should be expanded to include no exceptions or have some exceptions.  A recently enacted “fetal heartbeat” ban, triggered after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, prohibits most abortions when a heartbeat is first detected, which is usually about six weeks into a pregnancy.

Some observers criticized the process of the hearing, which focused on a bill for which there was no language and prioritized the testimony of opponents of abortion.  

The founding fathers understood that separation of church and state is essential to representative democracy,” said Lynn Teague, a vice president with the League of Women Voters of South Carolina.  “The Supreme Court of the United States decision overturning Roe v. Wade opened the door to ignoring that fundamental protection. 

Yesterday the House Ad Hoc Committee gave every indication that it intends to walk through that open door,” she said today.

Read the full article at the link above.