Legislative Session Weekly Update, March 4-6
The controversial tort reform bill, Senate Bill 244, shook the legislature this week, with Governor McMaster actively backing the measure. Tensions ran high on the Senate floor, culminating in a dramatic moment when freshman Senator Tom Fernandez alleged that legal lobbyists offered him campaign contributions between $50,000 and $100,000 to oppose the bill. Although he later retracted his statement, clarifying that while fundraising had been offered, he did not perceive them as bribes, the debate briefly came to a halt. As discussions continue, the bill remains on the Senate floor.
The Week in Review (March 4 – March 6)
Early Tuesday morning, OVER ONE HUNDRED South Carolinians rallied for abortion access at Tuesday’s subcommittee hearing for H. 3457, making their voices heard loud and clear. We are incredibly proud of everyone who wrote in, showed up, and spoke out against this harmful bill and WREN is honored to stand beside you. Whether it’s providing testimony tips, letter-writing workshops, or advocacy presentations, our team is here to support your efforts every step of the way.
Because of your bravery and dedication, H. 3457 is NOT currently scheduled for another hearing. Your advocacy even pushed prominent Republicans, Rep. Paula Calhoon and Rep. Carla Schuessler, to publicly oppose the bill, and Majority Leader David Hiott to urge the SC House Republican Caucus to shift focus to other legislative priorities. This is a huge victory, but the fight isn’t over. The bill isn’t technically dead yet. If your legislator hasn’t committed to a no vote, now is the time to act! Write letters, make calls, and get them on record! Your voices have already made a difference, and we must keep the momentum going.
Speaking of momentum, the hearing for H. 3927, a bill that would ban state agencies, schools, and public institutions from promoting or funding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, was equally packed. The committee even opened two overflow rooms and that still was not enough room to accommodate all the individuals who showed up to speak out against this dangerous legislation. Every person spoke in opposition to the bill, including our very own WREN Board Member, Beth Ruffin. At WREN, we stand firmly against any legislation that restricts people’s ability to earn a living, secure a job, and build a better future. While H. 3927 is not currently scheduled for another hearing, we will continue to monitor it closely.
This Week (March 11 – March 13)
South Carolina House will kick off Budget Week, when lawmakers come together to amend, debate, and vote on the state budget bill. This process shapes the funding for vital programs and services that impact families across our state. We already anticipate a heated debate, with members of the Freedom Caucus calling for deep budget cuts that could threaten essential resources for South Carolinians. As discussions unfold, we will be closely monitoring every development to ensure that families receive the support they need and that critical programs remain funded.
Together, we can advocate for a more equitable future for women and girls in South Carolina.