South Carolina Will Fight in Court to Uphold Heartbeat Law Saving Babies From Abortions
In its third legal challenge against South Carolina’s heartbeat law, Planned Parenthood is reinterpreting the science of fetal development to sell abortions later in pregnancy. The state Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic v. South Carolina on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 10:30 ET.
Today the South Carolina GOP sent a letter to Republicans statewide affirming support for the heartbeat law and calling out Planned Parenthood. The letter signed by SCGOP Chairman Drew McKissick and National Committeemen Glenn McCall and Cindy Costa says in part:
“The people of South Carolina have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to protecting life, as demonstrated by their continued support for lawmakers who have passed the Heartbeat Law multiple times. . . South Carolina voters have made their stance clear by electing pro-life leadership. Yet, organizations like Planned Parenthood persist in using the judicial system to bypass the democratic process and impose their will.
SUPPORT LIFENEWS! If you want to help fight abortion, please donate to LifeNews.com!
“South Carolina is a leader for Life and the South Carolina Republican Party has been a bulwark of the pro-life movement in our state. We continue to remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding the values of our voters and defending the sanctity of life every step of the way.”
In the lawsuit, Planned Parenthood challenges the consensus that a baby’s heart is beating at six weeks and claims that a fetal heartbeat instead begins at nine weeks. This is despite what the organization previously posted on its website for fetal development during the fifth and sixth weeks of gestation where they listed “a very basic beating heart and circulatory system develop.” At the same time, Planned Parenthood Action Fund says that a heartbeat does not begin until around 17-20 weeks of pregnancy.
SBA Pro-Life America Regional Political Director Caitlin Connors commented on the case:
“Planned Parenthood’s attempt to rewrite the science of human development to further their agenda for more abortions and more profit will not prevail. The level of science denial from the abortion lobby should astound South Carolinians who overwhelmingly re-elected Gov. Henry McMaster and state Republicans after they enacted the heartbeat law. We expect the justices will see through Planned Parenthood’s charade and uphold the law that protects 4,829 lives annually.”
Around six weeks’ gestation, a baby’s heart beats around 110 beats per minute. The heart is the baby’s first organ to form and function. Once a heartbeat is detected, a baby has over a 90% chance of surviving to birth.
In a separate U.S. Supreme Court case referenced in the South Carolina GOP letter (Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic), South Carolina will defend its right to exclude abortion businesses like Planned Parenthood from receiving state Medicaid taxpayer funds. Charlotte Lozier Institute – the research and education arm of SBA Pro-Life America – will file an amicus brief this week. The brief demonstrates Planned Parenthood’s commitment to increasing their share of the abortion market while the number of actual health care services they provide has steadily decreased.
