News Archives - SC Senate Republican Caucus

BREAKING: South Carolina Supreme Court Upholds Heartbeat Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 23, 2023

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Today, the South Carolina Supreme Court determined Act 70 of 2023, the Heartbeat bill, to be constitutional. The Court vacated the preliminary injunction and upheld the act with a decisive majority of justices.

South Carolina Supreme Court Upholds Heartbeat Bill

Fifty years of patience and devotion from the pro-life movement culminated in the fall of Roe last summer. The Dobbs decision meant relief for many across the nation and a renewed vigor to take up the fight for life at the state level.

South Carolina’s Dobbs moment is upon us now.

Today, the State Supreme Court made clear that South Carolina may enact a law to protect unborn children from abortion once a heartbeat is detectable.

The steadfast work of Senate Republicans on behalf of the most vulnerable has resulted in the birth of a new South Carolina; one that is no longer an abortion destination but a refuge for the unborn.

Our fight is not over. Today, we celebrate, and tomorrow, we continue striving to make South Carolina a free, safe, and beautiful home for all her citizens.

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Session-in-Review: Republican Victories for South Carolina

Session-in-Review: Republican Victories for South Carolina

The spring legislative session is over and it’s clear: Republican State Senators are getting things done. We instituted school-choice, reformed the healthcare system, ended the catch-and-release of violent criminals, cut taxes, and voted to protect innocent life. Week in and week out, Senate Republicans passed meaningful legislation, delivering on their promises to the people of South Carolina.

Education freedom took center stage from the outset. Republicans overcame a Democrat filibuster in January to make school choice a reality in South Carolina. But education freedom means more than just school choice; it means freedom from political indoctrination. Responding to the concerns of parents, Senate Republicans passed the Transparency and Integrity in Education Act, ensuring that objective facts, not subjective opinions about American history, shape the curriculum.

Republicans prioritized safe communities. The emergence of fentanyl, the catch-and-release of violent criminals, and the influence of foreign adversaries endanger our neighborhoods and law enforcement. We enacted legislation imposing harsh penalties on fentanyl trafficking and supported bond reform to close the revolving door of the justice system. Senate Republicans acted decisively to protect the State’s borders and passed Senate Bill 576, a bill by Majority Leader Shane Massey to prohibit foreign adversaries, like Russia and Communist China, from acquiring land in South Carolina. The bill awaits a hearing in the House.

Conservatives understand that big government limits freedom. That’s why Senate Republicans spent the spring busting bureaucracy and cutting through red tape. We split the enormous Department of Health and Environmental Control into two separate agencies, one for environmental protection and another for public health. We also eliminated healthcare monopolies by repealing the outdated Certificate of Need program which stifled new investments in healthcare for decades. Injecting free market principles into the healthcare system enables better care at lower costs.

Republicans in the Senate fought to protect the first right, the right to life. We passed a bill to defend the most vulnerable by prohibiting abortion once an unborn child’s heartbeat is detectable. Planned Parenthood and Democrats tried with all their might for abortion-on-demand through five months of pregnancy, but Senate Republicans dug in and refused to let South Carolina be an abortion destination state.

Under conservative fiscal leadership, the people of South Carolina come first. Just weeks ago, Governor McMaster described the annual budget bill as “the most transparent and accountable budget in modern times.” Thanks to Republican leadership in the Senate, the budget includes reduced taxes, funding for conservative priorities, and increased resources for school safety. Teachers now enjoy paid parental leave, and crisis pregnancy centers receive additional support for vulnerable mothers and children.

These are huge wins for South Carolina, and we’re just getting started. The rise of a ‘woke’ agenda threatens our values, communities, and schools. Thankfully, the citizens of the Palmetto State have given Senate Republicans a super majority to hold the line against the slippery slope of liberalism, resulting in significant victories for South Carolina this spring. South Carolina remains a bastion of conservatism because Senate Republicans deliver results.

PRESS RELEASE: South Carolina Senate Republicans Stand Up for Life

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 23, 2023

SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE REPUBLICANS STAND UP FOR LIFE

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the Senate voted to concur in House amendments to S. 474, a bill to prohibit the performance of abortions once the heartbeat of an unborn child is detectable, approximately six weeks into a pregnancy. This life-saving legislation includes exceptions in cases of rape, incest, medical emergency, or fatal fetal anomaly.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey issued the following statement:

“A heartbeat clearly indicates life. Today, Senate Republicans kept their promises and stood up for life in South Carolina. All children with a beating heart will soon be protected in this State. South Carolina will not be the abortion capital of the Southeast.”

Senator Larry Grooms, who authored the bill, added:

“There is no greater right than the right to life. Government’s primary purpose is to protect life. Every abortion takes a life. I am delighted that South Carolina will now join fourteen other states in protecting life once a heartbeat is detected.”

This bill is headed to the Governor for his signature.

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PRESS RELEASE: Senate Republicans Keep Political Activism Out of the Classroom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2023

SENATE REPUBLICANS KEEP POLITICAL ACTIVISM OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, Senate Republicans passed H. 3728, the Transparency and Integrity in Education Act. The bill protects students from political indoctrination by identifying certain concepts which must not be included in classroom instruction. According to the bill, no student may be taught that one race is inherently superior to another race or that members of one race bear responsibility for the actions committed in the past by members of the same race.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey celebrated the bill’s passage: “The citizens of South Carolina do not want political activism in the classroom. H. 3728 keeps the subjective opinions of those who want to rewrite American History from creeping into South Carolina’s schools.”

The bill encourages fact-based discussions of history. “I want students to learn about Jim Crow,” Senator Massey added. “I want them to learn about slavery. I want them to learn about the holocaust. I don’t want them to be blamed for those things.”

Republicans are committed to fighting for truth and transparency in education. This legislation requires that all instructional materials be made known to parents and available for review. “This is the year of parental rights, and today the Senate took a giant step toward eliminating classroom secrecy,” said Senator Larry Grooms, a member of the Senate Education Committee. “Parents have a right to know what is being taught in their child’s classroom, and today Republicans enshrined that right into law.”

H. 3728 returns to the House for concurrence and then to the Governor’s desk.

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PRESS RELEASE: SC Senate Votes to End Catch and Release of Violent Criminals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2023

SC SENATE VOTES TO END CATCH AND RELEASE OF VIOLENT CRIMINALS

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the South Carolina Senate unanimously adopted H. 3532, a bill to reform the State’s broken bond system and keep dangerous criminals behind bars.

South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said bond reform is a top priority for Senate Republicans this legislative session. “We heard from our constituents, and they’re fed up with the revolving door of our justice system. We intend to close that door,” Leader Massey said.

The bill cracks down on criminal defendants who commit violent crimes while on bond by revoking the initial bond and requiring judges to consider the prior charges and bond status of the defendant in future hearings.

Senator Greg Hembree, former 15^th Circuit Solicitor, added: “Today the Senate built upon the great work of the Speaker of the House and his colleagues by passing H. 3532. This bond reform bill addresses the dangerous catch and release of violent criminals through higher bonds and revocation of bond. This bill will make South Carolina safer.”

Too often, dangerous criminals are arrested, booked, and released on bond, only to be stopped again for committing another violent crime.

No more.

Senate Republicans are committed to keeping South Carolina safe. Safe communities enable citizens to work and thrive. Safe beaches allow families to rest and relax.

The bill returns to the House for approval, then to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

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PRESS RELEASE: South Carolina Senate GOP Stands Up to China

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2023

SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE GOP STANDS UP TO CHINA

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Yesterday, the South Carolina Senate overwhelmingly passed S. 576, a bill by Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey to prohibit foreign adversaries, including China, Russia, North Korea, Cuba, and Iran, from purchasing land in the Palmetto State.

Majority Leader Massey issued the following statement:

“In recent weeks, citizens in McCormick County have made known to me their discomfort over the pending acquisition of hundreds of acres of residential and undeveloped property by a Chinese bio-medical company, only miles from the Savannah River Site. I share the concerns of my constituents in McCormick. Just weeks ago, the State and the Nation watched while a Chinese spy balloon, undeterred, was flown over the entire country, spying over highly sensitive military bases. It’s clear: Communist China and other hostile nations must not be permitted to move in next door.

That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 576, which prohibits foreign adversaries and corporations controlled by foreign adversaries from purchasing land here in South Carolina. Yesterday, Senate Republicans joined me to pass this bill and send it to the House for quick consideration.

All senators swear an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of this State. The Senate upheld that promise today.”

Senator Billy Garrett, who resides in McCormick, added:

“I am very encouraged by the willingness of the State Senate to protect the sovereignty of South Carolina and especially Senate District Ten from Communist China and other hostile nations. I ask my friends in the House to take up S. 576 quickly and send it to the Governor for his approval.”

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PRESS RELEASE: South Carolina Senate Doubles Down on Education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2023

SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE SENATE DOUBLES DOWN ON EDUCATION

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, Senate Republicans passed S. 285, the Academic Choice in Education (ACE) act. The bill permits nonprofit scholarship funding organizations to issue scholarships for qualifying students to cover the educational expenses associated with attending a private school or home school program. Taxpayers may claim contributions to funding organizations against their tax liability.

Senate Republicans today kept their promises to students and taxpayers by passing another major school-choice initiative. The Academic Choice in Education act will fund school choice for thousands of South Carolina students at no cost to the State while reducing burdens on taxpayers.

Senator Tom Davis, who authored the bill stated: “When providers have to compete and consumers are given a choice, the result is a better service at a lower cost. The State’s education system lacks the benefit of this market principle, and today the Senate fixed that.”

Students in public schools, including disadvantaged and exceptional needs children, as well as children in home school programs, are eligible to receive scholarship funding. “South Carolina’s children deserve a robust educational system with options: public, private, parochial, and home schools,” said Senator Sean Bennett, chairman of the subcommittee who heard public testimony on the bill. “Today, the Senate added to State’s toolbox another choice for students and families.”

Majority Leader Shane Massey made clear at the start of the legislative session that education reform is the number one priority for the Senate Republican Caucus. The passage of the ACE act comes on the heels of S. 39, adopted in February, which creates trust funds for low-income families to cover costs associated with sending students to the school of their choice.

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SENATE FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE CONCLUDES INVESTIGATION OF THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2023

SENATE FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE CONCLUDES INVESTIGATION OF THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the South Carolina Senate Finance Constitutional Subcommittee investigating the Comptroller General, Richard Eckstrom, issued a final report on the findings of the investigation. The Subcommittee, consisting of Senators Grooms (Ch.), McElveen, Fanning, Goldfinch, and Young, unanimously adopted the report on Tuesday.

The report details the extensive investigation and concludes:

It is the collective opinion of the Subcommittee that:

Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom has repeatedly demonstrated his inability to perform statutory duties of the office to which he was elected;
Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom should be relieved of his duties to his office;
The General Assembly begin proceedings to remove Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom from office “for willful neglect of duty or other reasonable cause, which shall not be sufficient ground of impeachment” pursuant to Title XV Section 3 of the Constitution of the State of South Carolina;
The responsibilities of the Office of the Comptroller General be transferred to other appropriate offices of the State;
The Senate Finance Committee recommend which offices of the State receive those responsibilities;
The General Assembly advance an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, to remove the Comptroller General as an elected office.*

Subcommittee Chairman Larry Grooms added, “When it comes to reporting the State’s finances, the buck stops with the Comptroller General. Today, this investigative subcommittee delivered the accountability that the people of South Carolina deserve. I ask the Comptroller General to resign.”

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PRESS RELEASE: South Carolina Senate Fights Back Against Fentanyl

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2023

SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE FIGHTS BACK AGAINST FENTANYL

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Senate, under Republican Leadership, passed two bills this week addressing the fentanyl epidemic within the State. Senate Bill 1 establishes the crime of “Fentanyl-Induced Homicide”, punishable by up to thirty years in prison. Senate Bill 153 requires that any individual found guilty of trafficking fentanyl receives mandatory prison time.

“This week the South Carolina Senate passed bills making trafficking fentanyl and homicide by fentanyl illegal,” said Senator Greg Hembree, the former 15^th Circuit Solicitor who spearheaded the Senate debate. “The SC House has passed a similar trafficking fentanyl bill and we look forward to quickly reconciling the bills so that law enforcement has the tools to fight this deadly pandemic.”

Senate Republicans listened to the families who shared stories of loved ones lost to fentanyl and voted to hold the perpetrators accountable. “Like many other states, South Carolina is experiencing an epidemic of people dying from fentanyl overdoses. I introduced this bill to give law enforcement another tool in the effort to save lives and to get tougher on those trafficking this dangerous drug in our State,” said Senator Tom Young, the primary sponsor of S. 153.

The men and women of law enforcement increasingly encounter fentanyl in South Carolina communities. These bills will help get this poison off the streets so they can return home to their families safely at the end of the day. Retired police officer, Senator Brian Adams, introduced S. 1 to make death by fentanyl a homicide. “As of now, law enforcement does not have the ability to make the charge of fentanyl-induced homicide. Passing this bill gives officers the ability to hold those trafficking this dangerous drug into our communities accountable,” Senator Adams said.

We will continue to work with the House of Representatives to get these bills to the Governor’s desk.

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PRESS RELEASE: South Carolina Senate Passes Heartbeat Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2023

SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE MAJORITY LEADER SHANE MASSEY RELEASES STATEMENT ON THE PASSAGE OF HEARTBEAT BILL

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the State Senate passed S. 474, a bill to prohibit the performance of abortions at the point the heartbeat of an unborn child is detectable, approximately six weeks into a pregnancy. This important legislation includes exceptions in cases of rape, incest, medical emergency, or fatal fetal anomaly.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey issued the following statement:

“Just last month, the Supreme Court of South Carolina issued a decision to strike down the strongest pro-life bill ever passed by the General Assembly, the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act of 2021.

As a consequence, abortion is now legal in South Carolina through five months of pregnancy. While neighboring states have responded to the Dobbs decision with strong pro-life laws, South Carolina is becoming an abortion destination. In January, over one thousand abortions were performed inside the State, putting South Carolina on a trajectory to more than double its annual abortion numbers.

Fortunately, the State Senate adopted S. 474 today. This bill prohibits abortions at the point an unborn child’s heartbeat is detectable. Senate Republicans took time to read the opinions offered by the justices, and this bill incorporates our responses to the concerns they raised. I am confident that we have constructed this bill in such a manner that protects the unborn and withstands constitutional scrutiny.

I pray the South Carolina House of Representatives passes this bill quickly to help save thousands of lives in our State.”

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