Executive Orders
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster – joined by other defendants – has appealed the federal district court’s preliminary injunction of the South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act (Fetal Heartbeat Act) to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
“While the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case related to Mississippi’s law offers great hope and promise for protecting the lives of the unborn, we must defend South Carolina’s Fetal Heartbeat Act against every challenge at every level,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “As I’ve said before, the right to life is the most precious of rights and the most fragile. We must never let it be taken for granted or taken away. And we must protect life at every opportunity, regardless of cost or inconvenience.”
The appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit challenges the federal district court’s preliminary injunction order on two primary grounds and requests that the order be reversed and that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit remand the case for dismissal. The two primary issues argued in the filing are:
In addition to appealing the preliminary injunction order, Governor McMaster and other defendants will continue to oppose this challenge and defend the merits of the Fetal Heartbeat Act at the district court level while the appeal is pending.
To view a copy of the new filing, click here.
Sequence of events related to the lawsuit: