Republican state Sens. Penry Gustafson and Katrina Shealy.Sean Rayford/Getty Images A South Carolina judge temporarily halted a law banning most abortions after six weeks. The legislation was passed in the state Senate with the support of 27 men. Five female lawmakers, named the "Sister Senators," previously filibustered a similar abortion ban. South Carolina's governor signed a bill into law that would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.