A state judge in South Carolina just blocked the state’s new heartbeat law right after it was signed into law by Governor Henry McMaster.
Via Axios:
A state judge on Friday temporarily blocked South Carolina’s recently enacted six-week abortion ban until the state supreme court has a chance to review it, Axios has confirmed.
Shortly after Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed the measure into law on Thursday, abortion providers filed a lawsuit challenging the law, which took effect immediately upon being enacted.
Circuit Judge Clifton Newman said in his ruling that “[t]he status quo should be maintained until the Supreme Court reviews its decision,” adding that the case is “going to end up there,” per AP.
Abortion will remain legal in South Carolina up until 22 weeks of pregnancy, making it one of the only Southern states where the procedure is legal up until that point.
According to Axios, the state supreme court has already struck down a similar heartbeat bill claiming it violated the state’s constitution.
I expect the state’s high court to do the same here and then South Carolina will appeal the decision to the federal system and will be victorious in the end. It’s just a matter of time.