South Carolina Governor Signs 6-Week Abortion Ban

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster did what he said he was going to do.  Today, McMaster signed a six-week "fetal heartbeat" abortion ban into law.  Essentially, the new law bans abortions at around six weeks, or once fetal cardiac activity is detected.  Exceptions to the ban include those for rape and incest at 12 weeks, the mother's life, and fatal fetal anomaly.

There was no media present for the signing, only a handful of Republican state lawmakers.

McMaster said, "With my signature, the "Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act" is now law and will begin saving the lives of unborn children immediately."

Planned Parenthood and its partners have already announced plans to challenge the ban and McMaster said he is ready for that.  "This is a great day for life in South Carolina, but the fight is not over.  We stand ready to defend this legislation against any challenges and are confident we will succeed.  The right to life must be preserved, and we will do everything we can to protect it," said McMaster.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey of Edgefield told the media, "I think we've struck a compromise at the detection of a heartbeat, typically around six to eight weeks, which is something that a lot of South Carolinians will support."