McMaster says SC’s abortion ban exceptions ‘reasonable,’ marriage debate a ‘distraction’

Gov. Henry McMaster on Wednesday called exceptions to South Carolina’s six-week abortion ban a “reasonable” approach, clarifying earlier remarks he gave to reporters when asked whether he’d sign more restrictive legislation without exceptions.

McMaster told reporters at the State Election Commission office that he wants the Legislature to send him a reasonable bill to ban abortions as legislators mull how restrictive to go following the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

A Republican-led House panel recently proposed anti-abortion recommendations that removed rape and incest exceptions but kept the life and health of the mother. The full House Judiciary Committee is expected to consider the suggestions next month.

The state’s current six-week abortion law bans abortions after cardiac activity is detected, usually around the six-week mark of a pregnancy. It includes exceptions to protect the life of the mother, rape, incest or a fetal anomaly.

“I thought that was a good, reasonable, common-sense approach,” McMaster said Wednesday outside the State Election Commission office where Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette filed to run for reelection on a ticket with the governor.

McMaster is facing Democratic nominee Joe Cunningham in November. Cunningham plans to announce his lieutenant governor running mate Monday in Greenville.

“What I’m hoping (is) one day ... nobody in our state will feel the need or want an abortion,” McMaster said. “I think we need to emphasize the things that we need to do for women and for families before, during and after pregnancy.”

McMaster and Evette also highlighted efforts to make adoption easier and to make sure fathers support their children.

“There are a lot of things that we need to do to see that the burdens and the fears that many women have experienced are minimized, reduced or eliminated as much as we can,” said McMaster, who recently became a grandfather for the first time.

“I’m confident that the Legislature is going to consider every view, every opinion, all the facts and present a reasonable bill,” McMaster added.

McMaster calls gay marriage debate a ‘distraction’

As the Senate readies to consider codifying same-sex and interracial marriages, McMaster told reporters Wednesday that the mostly Democrat-led push in Washington was a “distraction.”

“I think the Democratic side, led by President Biden, are going off the cliff. I think they’re desperate for some issues,” McMaster said. “I think the Democrats, the left are just trying to dream up things to distract from the failures of the Biden administration.”

The effort to protect gay marriage under federal law comes as people fear the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges case, which legalized same-sex marriage across the country.

Cunningham on Tuesday called lawmakers against codifying same-sex marriage “radical politicians,” after U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said the decision should be left up to the states.

The legislation already passed the House. Republican U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace, of Daniel Island, and Tom Rice, of Myrtle Beach, joined Democrats to push the bill across.

South Carolina’s Constitution only recognizes marriage as between and man and a woman.

“Radical South Carolina politicians are hellbent on taking away as many freedoms as possible,” Cunningham said in a statement. “While they claim they want to ‘leave decisions to the states,’ they know full well that a repeal of Obergefell would reinstate our constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and invalidate thousands of existing marriages in South Carolina.”