South Carolina leaders react to overturn of Roe v. Wade

The United States Supreme Court, in a landmark decision, overturned the 1973 abortion case Roe V. Wade, meaning Americans no longer have a constitutional right to abortion.

South Carolina leaders in the Statehouse, candidates running for office and overall state leaders expressed their thoughts on the overturning of Roe v. Wade in a state where Republican lawmakers are set to ban abortions.

More: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, eliminating constitutional right to abortion

More: What an overturned Roe v. Wade means for South Carolina

Gov. Henry McMaster

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said the ruling is a resounding victory for the U.S. Constitution.

"Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a resounding victory for the Constitution and for those who have worked for so many years to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us. By the end of the day, we will file motions so that the Fetal Heartbeat Act will go into effect in South Carolina and immediately begin working with members of the General Assembly to determine the best solution for protecting the lives of unborn South Carolinians," McMaster said on Twitter.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan

In an emailed statement U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-SC, said the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Roe v. Wade is an answered prayer for the nation.

"Roe was an ‘egregiously wrongly decided’ decision that has tragically led to the death of over 60 million children in the womb since 1973. Overturning Roe is one of the most significant civil rights victories in our nation’s history and will result in countless lives being saved," Duncan said.

Duncan said with Roe being overturned, states have new opportunities to expand protections for the unborn. Duncan said in his statement that he encourages every state legislature, especially in South Carolina, to immediately move forward with pro-life legislation.

Jaime Harrison

Jaime Harrison, Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee, who also ran for Senator against Lindsey Graham in the 2020 election said he was overwhelmed with anger and pain.

"This illegitimate Supreme Court filled with political extremists just struck a blow to American freedom. These folks won’t just stop at this right. So with everything we got & all that we are- each of us must end this tyranny on our rights," Harrison said on Twitter.

U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman

U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman R-SC, said ending the life of an unborn child is not "family planning." on Twitter.

Gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham

Democratic candidate for governor Joe Cunningham said it was a dark day in American history.

"The four walls of a doctor’s office simply aren’t big enough for a woman, her partner, her doctor, and the government. But the government has decided to force themselves in. Governor McMaster and radical politicians in Columbia have already pledged to ban all abortions in South Carolina with no exceptions for rape, incest, or life of the mother. The only thing standing in the way of this draconian reality is my veto pen. As governor, I won't hesitate to use that pen to stand up for women and their right to control their own bodies," Cunningham said on Twitter.

U.S. Rep Nancy Mace

U.S. House Rep. Nancy Mace, R-SC said that today’s ruling returns power back to the states and power back to Congress on policies pertaining to life, where it rightfully belongs.

"This ruling protects federalism inherent in our Constitution and also returns this power back to the people and those they elected to represent them," Mace said on Twitter.

SC Attorney General Alan Wilson

In an emailed statement, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said he always thought Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided.

“I want to thank the Supreme Court for returning decision-making power to the people of each state. For almost 50 years, our country’s abortion policy was controlled by nine unelected judges. I have always thought Roe v. Wade was bad policy, was wrongly decided, and not supported by the Constitution," Wilson said in the email statement.

“However, it’s important to remember that this ruling does not outlaw abortion nationwide, it simply allows the people of each state to decide. This office will continue to defend any law the General Assembly enacts in response to this decision. This ruling is a victory for life, the rule of law, and local decision-making. Human life is the most precious thing we have and our Founders sought to protect life, not destroy it," he said.

U.S. Rep Marvin Pendarvis

U.S. Rep. Marvin Pendarvis, D-SC, said he was ready and willing to battle after the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

"Abortion was included in the Sine Die resolution, meaning the legislature will return to Columbia sometime this summer or fall to debate it. Gov. McMaster has already said he wants a Fetal Heartbeat Bill. Gear up, this fight is only beginning. I stand ready and willing to battle," Pendarvis said in a tweet.

Sen. Lindsey Graham

Senator Lindsey Graham said the ruling was a long overdue constitutional correction allowing for elected officials in the state to decide issues of life.

“Roe was Constitutionally unsound from its inception as the flawed legal theory behind the decision gives unlimited power to five unelected Supreme Court justices. I believe it was one of the largest power grabs in the history of the Supreme Court. Under the Roe theory, almost anything could be a constitutional right depending on the views of five justices on substantive due process," Graham said in an emailed statement.

Rep. James Clyburn

U.S. Rep. James Clyburn said the ruling further establishes right-wing Republican justices’ radical disregard for individual rights & settled precedent.

"Today's SCOTUS ruling further establishes right-wing Republican justices’ radical disregard for individual rights & settled precedent. They've eliminated a woman's right to control her body and given it to politicians. The American people disagree. They will be heard," Clyburn said on Twitter.

Sen. Marlon Kimpson

Senator Marlon Kimpson said in a tweet "Don't "boo" VOTE!".

Nikki Haley

Former Governor Nikki Haley said the overturn of Roe v. Wade is a win for pro-life and puts the debate back where it belongs, at the state level.

"This is a historic win for the pro-life movement. It’s an even bigger win for the American people. It puts the debate back where it belongs—at the state level, closest to the people. My hope is that there is a renewed commitment from elected lawmakers to support and protect mothers and their pre-born babies," Haley said on Twitter.

Lisa Van Viper

Lisa Van Viper, the president of SC Citizens for Life, a group advocating for laws to ban abortions, expects the Heartbeat Bill to be unblocked in the next month.

"This actually returns a function that was always seen in the constitution as a state function, back to the state," she said. "I am delighted, as one who has taught political science for over 40 years, to see this reestablishment of a balance between the national government and the state government that was set up by our constitution. This is a good day for the U.S. constitution."

Since Roe v. Wade, science and technology has progressed and confirmed fetuses are a distinct member of the human family, she said.

"We can do better as a society with social and economic situations that face the women in SC," Riper said. "We can do better than to say our solution is for you to destroy your child."

Tamia Boyd is a Michigan native who covers breaking news in Greenville. Email her at tboyd@gannett.com, and follow her on Twitter @tamiamb.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina leaders react as Roe v. Wade is overturned