After SC lawmaker stormed out during abortion debate, Speaker blasts House ‘theatrics’
Without naming names, the South Carolina House speaker spoke out against “petty, vindictive, showmanship” in the chamber, a reference that could only be construed as referring to a Republican state representative who stormed out and threw papers into the air after he missed an opportunity to introduce amendments to an abortion bill.
Anderson County Rep. Jonathon Hill walked out of the House chamber Wednesday as state Rep. Melissa Oremus, R-Aiken, was preparing to speak in support of the “fetal heartbeat” abortion ban bill, throwing his amendments onto the ground and throwing a separate stack of amendments into the air.
Moments later, House Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Darlington, paused debate to address Hill’s actions, calling it “childish behavior.”
“Yesterday was an extremely tense day. I understand that. All of you in the body understand that,” Lucas said Thursday in what were rare, critical remarks delivered from the lectern used by lawmakers on the House floor.
Lucas did not specifically name Hill and left his remarks open to other members, though most of it was clearly directed toward Hill, who stood near the back wall as Lucas spoke. Whether Hill faces any further repercussions for his behavior, such as a formal reprimand, would be a decision left up to the House, not solely the speaker, Lucas’ spokeswoman said.
House Majority Leader Gary Simrill, R-York, told The State, the House could censure Hill but said Hill “relishes in the role of being a martyr.” Simrill said he also does not want to do something that would take away the voice of Hill’s constituents.
“This body is designed to instill the collective will of the entire membership. This body, however, is not designed to speak to the stance of a single member,” Lucas said Thursday. “While a few individuals decide to elevate their own wishes above the will of the body, that behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The House floor is not a stage for your theatrics, and the body should not be held hostage to anyone’s vindictiveness.”
House members stood and applauded the speaker, including Hill.
The moment Hill caught the chamber’s attention lasted only a few minutes, but caused a brief stir in the chamber as House Republicans were trying to wrap up debate over the Senate’s “fetal heartbeat” abortion bill — S. 1 — and after most House Democrats staged a walk out in protest of the legislation.
Hill told The State he was frustrated by Republican leadership, who invoked a procedural rule to limit amendments.
With that rule in place, Hill, who had a large stack of amendments prepared to further restrict abortion access beyond waiting until about six weeks when a heartbeat is detected, never got to file the amendments or speak on them. The self-described pro-life legislator did, however, speak on the floor against the bill which he argued did not go far enough.
Upset by the move, Hill walked out of the chamber Wednesday throwing his amendments down the walk way to the main doors.
Upon Hill’s exit, the speaker said if lawmakers want to “engage in such childish behavior” the House security — the Sergeant at Arms staff — will “make sure you’re not here with us.”
“We are a legislative body,” Lucas said. “We are not children. We do not throw tantrums when we lose.”
Hill returned to his office in the House building and sat there until just before the House voted to pass the bill in a 79-35 vote.
Gov. Henry McMaster signed the bill Thursday.
Asked by The State whether he regretted his actions, Hill asked what else he was supposed to do with the amendments after cloture was invoked, saying he felt betrayed by his Republican and described pro-life colleagues.
“I didn’t hurt anybody. I didn’t say anything,” Hill said. “I tossed some papers on the floor and that’s all I did. And I did it to make a statement. I’m glad that wasn’t lost on everyone that was watching.”
Hill’s walk out was yet another chapter in the Upstate legislator’s crumbling relationship with House Republicans.
Two years ago, the S.C. House GOP Caucus — a dues-paying and private group — indefinitely suspended Hill, after Hill publicly criticized leadership on social media and publicly shared private caucus conversations. But in the most egregious occurrence, leadership said, was Hill published cell phone numbers of Republican colleagues, telling his supporters to call them and demand they back a budget proposal to defund Planned Parenthood.
Republicans also launched a primary challenger against Hill last year, but were unsuccessful.
Hill then sued the South Carolina Republican Party and his challenger, alleging the party spent beyond the state’s legal spending limits.
A judge tossed that lawsuit.
Hill told The State he is still a member of the House GOP Caucus. Simrill said he is not.
“He is confusing the rules within the body, the chamber as to a new legislative session, but the caucus is a private caucus, as you know through a lawsuit that we won,” Simrill said. “He was suspended indefinitely, and his suspension was at the behest of his colleagues. His colleagues suspended him nearly unanimously. In order for him to have admittance into the caucus, a member in good standing would have to make that motion.”
No member has done that to date, Simrill said.
This story was originally published February 18, 2021 at 11:25 AM.
