Columbia, S.C. – Representative Doug Gilliam (R-42) was raised prolife through church attendance and family values. He is a God-fearing husband, father and retired Army veteran.

“My family’s values showed me how important life is and that God makes us. He knew us before we were in the womb and I believe that,” said Gilliam.

Gilliam is also a cosponsor of bill H.3020, also known as the Heartbeat Bill.

H. 3020 protects unborn children in the womb from being aborted so long as a fetal heartbeat can be detected via ultrasound. Children conceived in rape and incest can still be aborted, provided that the mother has filed a police report. In cases where the life of the mother is at risk, her doctor can grant permission for an abortion.

The bill was last reviewed by the SC Senate on January 15. Nine months will pass before the Senate will be back in session to revisit the bill on September 15.

Constituents play an important role in holding legislators accountable for deciding on the bill when they return to session.

“Constituents need to confront legislators on social media – without being ugly, of course. People have got to let their legislators know that they need to do something about it. The House is pushing the Senate to make a move, but constituents have got to let them know how they feel,” said Gilliam.

Constituents do not have to wait for Senate members to return to session either. The lull of summer compounded by the pandemic offers an excellent time for constituents to strategize and mobilize.

After returning from the summer break, Senators will be busy taking up budget issues, said Gilliam. It is up to constituents to make sure that Senators do not forget about H. 3020.

“Legislators are apt to listen to the constituents in their districts who have a sincere message. They are going to be receiving messages from both sides: prolife and pro-abortion. We just need to make sure we are flooding them from the right side,” said Gilliam.

In addition to contacting Senators, Gilliam stressed that electing persons who are prolife will help ensure that legislation like H. 3020 passes without much issue.

“We need to keep pushing forward. There are certain fights worth fighting, and this one is one of them. Just keep up the fight and elect people that believe in the prolife cause,” said Gilliam.

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This is the third in a series of interviews with South Carolina prolife incumbents. Representative Gilliam is endorsed by South Carolina Citizens for Life.