Go to Content Go to Navigation Go to Navigation Go to Site Search Homepage

WASHINGTON — Yesterday, after weeks of avoiding giving straightforward answers to reporters and the American people about specific abortion bans, Tim Scott finally made his position crystal clear: He supports a six-week abortion ban — which is before most people know they are pregnant. When asked by South Carolina ETV host Gavin Jackson what he thought about the state’s six-week ban now headed to Governor Henry McMaster’s desk, Scott said:

"I think the state is trying to protect the culture of life and that’s good news. I mean, the ‘heartbeat’ bill is a step in the direction of that.”

Scott is already on the record supporting a national abortion ban at 20 weeks. Last month, Scott said “If I were president of the United States, I would literally sign the most conservative pro-life legislation that they can get through Congress.”

Jenny Lawson, the executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes, responded to his telling but unsurprising answer:

“Tim Scott is finally being honest and specific about his anti-abortion agenda. He thought he could keep being vague about his intentions to ban abortion nationwide and willingness to do so before most people even know they’re pregnant. Let this be a sign to every candidate running for president: You cannot hide your extreme anti-abortion agenda behind evasive language and answers for long. Voters will find out. And when they do, they won’t be happy.”
 

Note to reporters: The Associated Press recommends against using the term “heartbeat bill” as it is “overly broad and misleading given the disagreement over details.” It says “Instead, on first references, use phrasing such as a measure that bans abortions except in the earliest weeks of pregnancy… On later references, simply the anti-abortion measure, the bill, etc.”

That language is used to inaccurately evoke imagery that erases the true, harmful intentions of the politicians behind them.

###

Planned Parenthood Votes is an independent expenditure political committee registered with the Federal Election Commission.