COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tuesday, the South Carolina Senate began their debate on the contentious 'fetal heartbeat bill.'
The bill aims to ban abortions once a heartbeat is detected, which is usually when a pregnancy reaches about 8 weeks.
"Life is precious," exclaimed Senator Larry Grooms, one of the many Republican sponsors of S.1, also known as the 'fetal heartbeat bill'.
Abortions are banned in South Carolina after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless certain medical exceptions are met. This bill would require a fetal heartbeat test before an abortion, and if one is detected, the abortion would be prohibited.
"This is a sensitive issue, this is a controversial issue, but it shouldn’t be, but it is," said Grooms to the Senate. "There should not be choices that allow someone to take a life."
Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto asked Grooms why he didn’t introduce a bill that completely bans abortion if that’s what he believes in. Grooms responded he believes this legislation has the greatest chance to save lives.
"I believe the Constitution of the United States guarantees women certain rights and this bill would take away those rights," Hutto told News19.
Hutto added that if the bill is passed, it will lead to lawsuits and hefty legal fees paid for by taxpayers.
"These are very difficult decisions that have to be made by women and they should consult their family, their doctors, their spiritual or religious advisors, and make their own decision," said Hutto.
An exemption was added to the bill for victims of rape and incest that become pregnant. The amendment says a physician would be required to report the woman’s rape or incest allegations to the county sheriff and state health department.
Courtney Thomas with the South Carolina Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network said, "mandatory reporting, or outing of survivors, is something that could be even more detrimental to their mental health." She continued to say that more women are less likely to come forward after such sexual trauma.
"It’s already hard enough for people that have experienced this trauma," said Thomas. "They shouldn’t have to be retraumatized when they’re just trying to receive reproductive healthcare."
Senate debate on the bill is expected to last for several more days and will pick back up Wednesday afternoon.