Nikki Haley Signs 20-Week Abortion Ban Bill

Alissa Lopez | May 26, 2016
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On Wednesday, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley signed The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that outlaws abortions after 20-weeks gestation. The bill is meant to protect defenseless unborn babies from a procedure that, at that point in a pregnancy, can make babies feel pain. The only exceptions the law makes are if the mother’s life is in danger and/or if doctors determine that the child has such a severe birth defect it will be unable to survive outside the womb.

WSOC News 9 reported that a doctor could be fined up to $10,000 and face approximately three years in prison if they violate the legislation.

Holly Gatling, the Executive Director of South Carolina’s Citizens for Life, informed Life News the bill has bipartisan support in the Senate. Out of the 18 Democrats in the Senate, nine of them voted in favor of the Protection Act. No Republicans voted against it. The act passed the Senate back in March on a 36-9 vote.  

This makes South Carolina the 13th state to successfully implement a 20-week abortion ban.

“South Carolina now joins thirteen other states in recognizing the humanity of the unborn child,” said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life President. “The smallest and most vulnerable members of our human family need our protection, and South Carolina has taken a vital step to save unborn children who are capable of feeling the excruciating pain of abortion.”

This is just one of many actions government officials are taking against abortion. Some states, such as Kansas, have banned the procedure in which an abortionist removes limbs of an unborn child one by one out of a woman’s womb. Utah requires that an abortionist numb a child that is 20-weeks along in the womb before performing the abortion.

Ever since the practices of Kermit Gosnell’s illegal abortion clinic and behind-the-scenes footage of Planned Parenthood employees have made people aware of what happens in the abortion industry, the pro-life movement has gained tremendous momentum throughout the public and among political leaders. One can only hope that it continues to grow.

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