The SC Republican Platform had two huge victories in South Carolina courts this week … one a 4-1 SC Supreme Court Ruling for Life (see below) … the second a “settlement” victory for the 2nd Amendment (HERE).
Both situations should never have been in court … and neither should have been in the courts for as long as they were … but both were victories typically not seen in the SC State Judicial System.
Why?
Because SC needs #JudicialReform!!!
These two court victories are a sign that things are changing here in South Carolina … because of YOU … and as such we need to #DoubleDOWN!!! #PressON!!! #PressHARDER!!!
PART 1
HEARTBEAT LAW LEGAL!!!
(Click image above or HERE)
The news is everywhere … and for SC Republican Platform conservatives it is all good news!!!
In a 4 to 1 opinion, the SC State Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the new six-week Fetal Heartbeat Law is constitutional … and that the temporary injunction issued back on May 26th, 2023, is lifted, making the law effective immediately.
Read the 51 page SC Supreme Court Opinion HERE.
The Heartbeat law prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat has been detected, with exceptions for rape or incest during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, medical emergencies, or fatal fetal anomalies.
WHAT’S NEXT?: So … what legislation will be next now that we have direction from a favorable court opinion … and mounting political pressure from an awakened public now that SC has been (until yesterday) the nation’s southeastern “Abortion Destination State” for too long?
Is Equal Protection next (HERE & HERE)?
TIMELINE:
January 5th, 2023: SC Supreme Court rules that the states six-week abortion ban is unconstitutional because it violates a right to privacy. The vote: 3 (Chief Justice Beatty, Justice Hearn & Justice Few) to 2 (Justice Kittredge & Justice James).
February 1, 2023: A new SC Fetal Heartbeat Bill (S474) is filed.
February 8, 2023: Justice Gary Hill (HERE) is elected to the SC Supreme Court replacing the retiring Justice Kaye Hearn who wrote the January 5th opinion finding the six-week abortion ban unconstitutional.
February 9th, 2023: Eight days after filing, the SC Senate passes S474 by a vote of 28 to 12 and sends it to the SC House.
[Why the 3 month delay in the SC House?]
May 16th, 2023: SC House passes an amended S474 by a vote of 82 to 33.
May 23rd, 2023: The SC Senate concurs with the House amendments by a vote of 27 to 19.
May 25th, 2023: Governor McMaster signs S474 into law.
May 26th, 2023: Judge Clifton Newton (HERE & HERE), known from the Murdaugh Murder Case, issues a temporary injunction against the new SC Fetal Heartbeat Bill.
June 27, 2023: The SC Supreme Court hears the case. Watch HERE.
August 23rd, 2023: Ruling issued … 4 to 1 … Constitutional!!!
Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty (HERE & HERE) was the lone dissent on the court … and all reports are he will be retiring in 2024 … so legislators have another opportunity to strengthen the conservative nature of the SC State Supreme Court next session. Will they?
Again, is Equal Protection next (HERE & HERE)?