South Carolina just dealt a fatal blow to Planned Parenthood’s devious attempt to extend their abortion business by three weeks, proving once again that life wins over leftist word games.
At a Glance
- South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously upheld the state’s heartbeat law banning most abortions after six weeks
- Planned Parenthood tried to exploit terminology loopholes, arguing abortions should be allowed until nine or ten weeks
- The ruling has already reduced abortions in South Carolina by nearly 80%
- The law includes exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies, and mother’s health
- Twelve states now have similar heartbeat-based abortion restrictions
Planned Parenthood’s Desperate Word Games Fail
In a refreshing display of judicial clarity, the South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously rejected Planned Parenthood’s attempt to manipulate language to kill more babies. The abortion giant had the audacity to argue that since an “embryo” doesn’t become a “fetus” until around ten weeks, the state’s “fetal heartbeat” law should allow abortions until that later date. This textbook example of leftist word-twisting didn’t fool the justices, who saw right through this desperate semantic ploy.
The court’s 5-0 decision firmly establishes that abortion is prohibited once cardiac activity is detected – typically around six weeks. Justice John Cannon Few wrote for the majority, clearly defining what the rest of us with common sense already understand – that “fetal heartbeat” refers to “a biologically identifiable moment in time” detectable through medical technology.
“This ruling is a resounding win for the rule of law and protecting the unborn in South Carolina,” state Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson added. “Today’s decision reaffirms that our elected legislators, not out-of-state interest groups, hold the power to shape South Carolina’s policies in accordance with the values of its people.” state Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson added.
The Left’s Contradictory Arguments Exposed
The court brilliantly exposed Planned Parenthood’s hypocrisy, noting that while they now claim confusion about when abortions are prohibited, they previously acknowledged the law clearly bans procedures at approximately six weeks. The justices wrote, “While Planned Parenthood now argues its doctors are unclear as to which point in time abortion is prohibited, it has previously stated the language from both the 2021 Act and the 2023 Act clearly prohibits abortion at approximately six weeks. Thus, it seems unlikely that abortion providers at Planned Parenthood have been left to ‘guess as to its meaning.'”
Governor Henry McMaster celebrated this victory for life, stating: “Time and time again, we have defended the right to life in South Carolina, and time and time again, we have prevailed. Today’s ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life.”
Real Results Saving Real Lives
This isn’t just a symbolic victory – it’s producing real, life-saving results. Since the law’s enactment in 2023, abortions in South Carolina have dropped by nearly 80%, according to state data. That’s not just a statistic; those are actual human lives being saved from the abortion industry’s assembly line. While radical leftists predictably decry this as restricting “healthcare,” the rest of us recognize it as protecting the most fundamental right – the right to exist.
The South Carolina law still accommodates reasonable exceptions for rape, incest (up to 12 weeks), fatal fetal anomalies, and when necessary for the mother’s health. This balanced approach protects life while acknowledging tragic circumstances – a far cry from the extremist position of abortion-on-demand that the left demands as its non-negotiable position.
A Growing Movement for Life
South Carolina joins twelve other states with similar heartbeat-based protections for unborn children. Despite the left’s apocalyptic rhetoric after Dobbs, the sky hasn’t fallen. Instead, we’re seeing a restoration of basic human dignity and constitutional order, with elected representatives – not unelected judges – determining policy on this profound moral issue. Meanwhile, abortion advocates continue undermining state laws through interstate pill-trafficking schemes and lawfare.
“While Planned Parenthood now argues its doctors are unclear as to which point in time abortion is prohibited, it has previously stated the language from both the 2021 Act and the 2023 Act clearly prohibits abortion at approximately six weeks. Thus, it seems unlikely that abortion providers at Planned Parenthood have been left to ‘guess as to its meaning,'” – Justices Kitteridge, Few, James and Verdin.
South Carolina isn’t stopping here, either. The state is considering further legislative steps to classify abortion as homicide and exclude abortion providers from its Medicaid program. These common-sense measures recognize the obvious truth – if ending human life is wrong, taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize it, and those who do it shouldn’t escape consequences behind a veneer of “healthcare.” The left will scream and protest, but South Carolina’s elected officials seem committed to following the will of their constituents rather than the demands of progressive activists.
