Roe v Wade: Reaction in SC to report Supreme Court preparing to overturn abortion law
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Abortion in South Carolina
In a historial move, the Supreme Court of the U.S. has overturned landmark ruling Roe v. Wade. Read more about what that means for South Carolina abortion laws.
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Reaction in South Carolina has been swift in response to a report that the U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to overturn Roe v. Wade.
According to Politico, a leaked draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito that was circulated in February states that Alito was joined by justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett — the last three of which were all former President Donald Trump nominees. Politico reported that justices Stephen Breyer, Elana Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor were working on dissents.
Since the report was released on Monday, reaction among officials and organizations in South Carolina has been numerous and ongoing.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, said in a Tuesday statement that he supported a decision that left abortion rights up to the states.
“If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, which I believe was one of the largest power grabs in the history of the Court, it means that every state will decide if abortion is legal and on what terms,” Graham said. “That, in my view, is the most constitutionally sound way of dealing with this issue and the way the United States handled the issue until 1973.”
Graham also expressed his outrage that that draft opinion was leaked.
“The radical assault on our institutions and the Constitution itself has reached a new level with the release of a draft opinion on a major issue facing the Court,” Graham said. “Whether you are a liberal, conservative or moderate, the integrity of the Court has been compromised by this outrageous act – an affront to the Rule of Law.”
Joe Cunningham, a Democrat running for governor who was a former South Carolina congressman for District 1, wrote on Twitter that the governor’s race was now key to keeping abortion rights in the state.
“This race for governor is now more important than ever before. Make no mistake: Republicans in South Carolina will do everything in their power to pass a total ban on abortion, and the only thing standing in the way of that is the veto pen of a Democratic Governor,” Cunningham wrote.
In a short Tuesday statement, State Rep. Micah Caskey, R-Lexington said “Roe is a terribly-reasoned opinion that is bad law and should be overturned — and we should all be outraged that some coward undermined the Supreme Court’s confidential work for, presumably, selfish or political reasons.”
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic reminded people that abortion wasn’t illegal yet.
“Abortion is still legal in North Carolina. Abortion is still legal in South Carolina. Abortion is still legal in West Virginia. Abortion is still legal in Virginia. We’re going to fight like hell to make sure it stays that way,” Planned Parenthood wrote on Twitter.
Sen. Mia McLeod, D-Richland, who is running for governor, made a short statement in opposition to abortion prevention.
“Any attack on reproductive rights is dangerous—socially and economically,” McLeod wrote on Twitter. “In South Carolina, we need a Governor who understands that. I’ve always been and will always be a fierce advocate for the rights and freedoms of our women and girls.”
Wayne Borders, policy director for Palmetto State Abortion Fund, said the fight for abortion rights would continue.
“The draft opinion of #JusticeAlito does NOT change anything YET. We knew that #Roe would be in their sights & we still have options and work to do before the official decision of this #SupremeCourt. Tonight we rest; tomorrow, we forge on,” Borders wrote on Twitter. According to the fund’s website, it is a 100% volunteer run, majority Black, majority woman-led abortion fund in South Carolina that offers financial, emotional and logistical support.
Dr. Annie Andrews, Democratic candidate for District 1 and a Lowcountry pediatrician, expressed in a Tuesday statement her support for Roe v Wade.
“As the only candidate for SC-01 who supports Roe v. Wade, I am extremely troubled by the leaked draft opinion that would strip every woman in America of her constitutional right to a safe abortion,” Andrews said. “It is critical that Congress codifies Roe v. Wade as soon as possible to ensure women’s healthcare rights are protected by federal law. If there are not 60 votes in the United States Senate, I support ending the filibuster on an issue as important as this. Outlawing abortions will not end abortions; it will only end safe abortions.”
Like Graham, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District seat, expressed in a Tuesday statement her disappointment in the leak and her support for rights for the unborn.
“What would otherwise be a great day for our country for the lives of the unborn, has now been marred by an unprecedented and politically motivated leak, obviously intended to intimidate our Supreme Court Justices,” Mace said. “I have and will continue to support the rights of the unborn. As a legislator, I am proud of my pro-life record. And as a ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee, we need to get to the bottom of this unprecedented breach in protocol from our highest Court.”
This story was originally published May 3, 2022 at 11:30 AM with the headline "Roe v Wade: Reaction in SC to report Supreme Court preparing to overturn abortion law."
