Yesterday, by a vote of 17-26, the S.C. Senate failed to pass House Bill 5399: the Human Life Protection Act. This delay continues the loss of over 100 unborn children per week in our state.
Michael F. Acquilano, director of S.C. Catholic Conference, stated, "We are disappointed the Senate did not vote to protect the majority of unborn children yesterday. We must pray for the conversion of hearts and minds of these senators, especially those that had previously represented themselves alongside a pro-life platform."
Because the bill could not be sent to Gov. Henry McMaster, Sen. Thomas Alexander, senate president, appointed three lawmakers to join S.C. House members in a conference committee.
Sens. Shane Massey, Margie Bright Matthews and Richard Cash will meet with Reps. John McCravy, Tommy Pope and Spencer Wetmore to solve the differences in the bill between the two chambers. The committee must meet and negotiate final language to then send a bill to the governor before Nov. 13.
We encourage the conference committee to act quickly and pray that the members may find a way forward to protect the unborn and the lives of their mothers.