The South Carolina House passed a bill Thursday that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which is sooner than some women may know they're pregnant.State representatives voted 64 to 22.It's called the "fetal heart beat bill." This would take affect around six weeks, which is typically when a fetal heartbeat can be first detected in the womb. Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, is a strong supporter of this legislation. "What is making its way through suits me fine- it's pro-life. This is a pro-life state and I will be glad to sign that bill,” McMaster said.South Carolina is just one of several state legislatures taking up this measure.Furman University political science professor Brent Nelsen tells WYFF News 4 this multi-state action could be part of a bigger goal: to challenge Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion."I think we are seeing a concerted effort across the country on the part of the pro-life movement to get laws passed in states that can really challenge Roe v. Wade at its heart,” Nelsen said. Now the bill heads to the Senate's medical affairs committee. The Senate could take the bill up as soon as Wednesday. The legislative session ends the first week of June, but there is still a chance the bill could make it to the governor’s desk before next year.

The South Carolina House passed a bill Thursday that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which is sooner than some women may know they're pregnant.

State representatives voted 64 to 22.


It's called the "fetal heart beat bill." This would take affect around six weeks, which is typically when a fetal heartbeat can be first detected in the womb.

Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, is a strong supporter of this legislation.

"What is making its way through suits me fine- it's pro-life. This is a pro-life state and I will be glad to sign that bill,” McMaster said.

South Carolina is just one of several state legislatures taking up this measure.

Furman University political science professor Brent Nelsen tells WYFF News 4 this multi-state action could be part of a bigger goal: to challenge Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion.

"I think we are seeing a concerted effort across the country on the part of the pro-life movement to get laws passed in states that can really challenge Roe v. Wade at its heart,” Nelsen said.

Now the bill heads to the Senate's medical affairs committee. The Senate could take the bill up as soon as Wednesday.

The legislative session ends the first week of June, but there is still a chance the bill could make it to the governor’s desk before next year.