(Trigger warning: mention of rape, incest, and violent crimes) South Carolina a largely conservative, Republican state is trying to get a bill passed guaranteeing the death penalty for abortion. Ludicrous because the death penalty also known as capital punishment is saved for those individuals that commit heinous crimes such as murder, treason, genocide, etc not for women who do not want a child, especially those who were increased or raped or faced health problems/death because of pregnancy. The South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act of 2023 states: “[it would] ensure that an unborn child who is a victim of homicide is afforded equal protection under the homicide laws of the state.” The bill is essentially calling an unborn fetus a functioning being that could face “justice” for being murdered. Although the bill originally had twenty-four GOP members when it was introduced in January, in recent weeks nine Republicans have officially pulled out.
Republican Brandon Guffey (one of the members that pulled out) noted in a Facebook post, “I am pro-life but that includes the life of the mother.” and Republican Matt Leber (another member that pulled out) said in an interview, “I wouldn’t want to prosecute or charge women at all, that’s never been my philosophy on pro-life issues.” The Rep.’s that pulled out are: Kathy Landing, Matt Leber, David Vaughan, Fawn Pedalino, Brian Lawson, Randy Ligon, Patrick Haddon, Brandon Guffey, and Mark Willis. Ironically, the original bill was proposed by Rob Harris who was a registered nurse for 27 years so individuals would think that he would understand the complexity of women’s health but clearly he, unfortunately, does not (NBC News). The law, which may or may not get passed, would take the United States back in time and further restrict women’s rights. In fact, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas Matthew Joseph Kacsmaryk is trying to ban mifepristone (an abortion pill) – even though the drug has been safely and effectively used in the US for more than 20 years– this would leave no hope for South Carolina and other states trying to put heavy restrictions on abortion (The Guardian).