Recently declared 2024 contender Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) applauded his home state’s new abortion ban.
Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) signed the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act into law Thursday, restricting the procedure after the detection of cardiac activity in a fetus, which can occur as early as six weeks of pregnancy. The bill has several exceptions for the life of the mother, fetal abnormalities, and rape for up to 12 weeks.
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“The state is trying to protect the culture of life, and that’s good news. I mean, the heartbeat bill is a step in the direction of that,” Scott told a local reporter.
I also asked Sen. Scott about the 6-week abortion ban bill the South Carolina legislature sent the governor for his signature and he said, “The state is trying to protect the culture of life and that’s good news. I mean, the heartbeat bill is a step in the direction of that.” pic.twitter.com/iQcmRQvduM
— Gavin Jackson (@GavinJackson) May 24, 2023
Scott announced his 2024 campaign earlier in the week during a Palmetto State event. Later in the week, on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who has regularly polled in second place, jumped into the crowded GOP primary field. DeSantis signed a similar measure into law back in April, though it has been in limbo amid court litigation.
Abortion has emerged as something of an albatross issue for many Republicans who have been pummeled by Democrats on the matter.
“Scott keeps making his extreme anti-abortion agenda clear, and he has already promised to sign the ‘most conservative’ ban possible,” the Democratic National Committee War Room tweeted.
NEW: Tim Scott said South Carolina’s newly passed, cruel six-week abortion ban is “good news.”
Scott keeps making his extreme anti-abortion agenda clear, and he has already promised to sign the “most conservative” ban possible.
WATCH: pic.twitter.com/6BJ0zHiqP6
— DNC War Room (@DNCWarRoom) May 25, 2023
Anti-abortion groups such as Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which welcomed Scott’s run, have sought to keep 2024 aspirants in line on the matter.
Last month, Scott backed a 20-week federal ban on abortion and promised to sign into effect the “most conservative, pro-life legislation that they can get through Congress.”
Scott has also teased that he views his home state as critical to his 2024 odds.
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Former Gov. Nikki Haley, a fellow South Carolinian, has sung a similar tune on abortion, calling for national consensus on a federal ban and indicating she would support the most anti-abortion legislation that Congress can advance.
“If there’s 60 votes, which we’re not anywhere near that, and if there’s something where they’ve come together on consensus, yes, of course, I would sign it,” Haley said when asked about a federal ban during the Politics and Eggs event at St. Anselm College on Wednesday.
