(SBA Pro-Life America) Pro-life momentum in America is on full display this week as three states further protections for unborn children. On Tuesday night, the North Carolina General Assembly overrode Gov. Cooper’s veto of a 12-week protection and Nebraska advanced a 12-week measure to a final vote. Today, the South Carolina House is expected to advance a heartbeat bill to third reading.
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SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser celebrated the wins:
“The momentum for life continues. Twenty-three states including my home state of North Carolina now have laws protecting babies at the point when they feel pain, with the potential of Nebraska and South Carolina soon to follow. Since the Dobbs decision, tens of thousands of lives have been saved and substantially fewer women are experiencing the horrors and harms of abortion. This is thanks to the bold leadership of pro-life leaders in the states: governors, legislators and attorneys general who have prioritized the will of the people in advancing human rights where they live.
“Pro-life leaders are building a culture of life, protecting unborn children, and providing vital support for moms and families. They’re making childcare more accessible; increasing access to postpartum medical care; and creating paternity leave, educational support, and funding for pregnancy centers on the frontline helping mothers.
“We’re not even close to done yet. The pro-life movement will press on to save more lives in the states and push for a federal gestational protection so that California, Illinois, New York and others cannot continue their extreme abortion-on-demand policies that mirror what occurs in North Korea and China.”
The advancement of protections in North Carolina, South Carolina and Nebraska mirror the pro-life momentum seen in other states during the 2023 legislative session season. Montana, this month, established new laws to prevent taxpayer funded abortions, require abortionists to report women harmed by abortion pills, protect the lives of abortion survivors and require the licensing of abortion facilities. North Dakota Gov. Burgum signed a measure protecting babies at all stages. Florida Gov. DeSantis signed a heartbeat law in April. A Wyoming measure prohibiting dangerous abortion pills was also recently signed.
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Additionally, states have enacted pro-life safety net measures this year. Florida allocated $25 million for pregnancy help centers; North Carolina established new funds for childcare and paid parental leave for teachers and state employees; Mississippi Gov. Reeves signed eight measures to support mothers; and West Virginia Gov. Justice established the Mothers and Babies Support Program to aid women in need.
The pro-life measures that legislatures are advancing this week are:
- North Carolina SB 20 creates a protection for unborn children at 12 weeks gestation and provides $160 million in funding to support children, families and maternal health. Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill over Mother’s Day weekend following a week-long tour to pressure Republicans into voting with him. His veto was overridden by the Senate and the House on Tuesday evening.
- South Carolina S. 474 protects life at the point that a heartbeat is detected with exceptions for rape, incest, life and health of the mother, and fatal fetal anomaly. The state’s current law allows for unborn lives to be taken until 20 weeks gestation – five weeks beyond the point when a baby can first feel pain. After today’s vote, the bill needs to clear one more vote in the House and then receive Senate approval to be sent to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk.
- Nebraska LB 574 establishes a 12-week protection with exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. The measure would protect babies 10 weeks sooner than is provided for in current law, eliminating elective painful, late-term abortions. The bill is one vote away from being signed by Gov. Jim Pillen.
Editor's note: This article was published by SBA Pro-Life America and is reprinted with permission.
