Rep. John Graham Altman's apology came as the S.C. House put a reworked criminal domestic violence bill on a fast track in response to outrage about the Charleston lawmaker's remarks after the House Judiciary Committee killed similar legislation.

The new bill, like the old one, toughens penalties for domestic abuse now classified as a misdemeanor. That bill could be debated as early as today on the House floor and go to the Senate by the end of the week, said Rep. Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill.

Last week, Altman questioned the intelligence of a Columbia television reporter who juxtaposed the domestic violence bill with a bill making cockfighting a felony that cleared the committee. Graham also questioned why women return to abusive relationships.

"I do not understand why women continue to go back around men who abuse them," Altman said to WIS-TV. "I've asked women that, and they all tell me the same answer, 'John Graham, you don't understand.' And I say, you're right, I don't understand."

On Tuesday, Altman told the House he wanted to express "regret, real regret, and real sorrow over the publicity that this House has gotten in the last week."

He said he "offended a lot of people -- and some people I offended who I didn't offend, but they're still offended -- and I just want to apologize to each and every one. My intentions were not, never have been, never will be, to paint this institution or any of you in a negative manner. ...

"I'm sorry I caused pain to those to whom I really caused pain, and I'm sorry I caused pain to those who might want to say ouch anyway."

House Speaker David Wilkins and Judiciary Chairman Jim Harrison said Altman's remarks sounded sincere.

Simrill called the remarks "unfortunate," but said that they may have proved to be the catalyst for getting new laws passed this year.

Rep. Joe Neal, D-Hopkins, said the apology fell short because Altman apologized only for offending people, not for his remarks or actions.

Altman would not respond to that.

His remarks came as Republicans rallied around the new legislation -- and peeved Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, an Orangeburg Democrat who was the lead sponsor on the bill that died.

Wilkins and Harrison thought they had Cobb-Hunter on board with the new bill as its chief sponsor. But she backed out Tuesday morning, complaining about Republicans taking marquee roles as co-sponsors, including Altman.

"I am not going to be a part of a Republican whitewash. I am not going to be part of an effort to clean up the Republican caucus problem," Cobb-Hunter said.

"What we're trying to do is pass a serious CDV bill that strengthens the penalties, like she was trying to do," Wilkins, R-Greenville, said in a weekly news briefing sponsored by South Carolina ETV and the South Carolina Press Association.

"Whether it's a Republican author or Democratic author, I could care less. What I do care about is getting this bill passed and sending a strong message that we take CDV serious in South Carolina," Wilkins said.

Peggy Payne, executive director of the local Safe Passage women's shelter for abuse victims, said she also didn't care which party sponsored the bill.

"It's a bipartisan issue," said Payne, who felt stronger laws against domestic violence should have been passed earlier. "Sometimes progress is slower than you'd like to see, but at least we're making progress."

New bill's provisions

Under the new bill:

• The first conviction on criminal domestic violence is a misdemeanor that can bring up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $2,500. The current penalty is 30 days in jail or a $500 fine.

• A second offense is a misdemeanor that brings a minimum of 30 days to a maximum of one year behind bars with up to $5,000 in fines. That's up from the current penalty of 30 days and a $500 fine.

• A third offense would be a felony with one to five years in prison. That crime now is a misdemeanor with up to three years in prison.

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill, supports the bill.

"They're wanting to strengthen the bill, which I'm in favor of," Norman said. "I think it'll pass pretty easily. There may be some amendments and tweaking in different places, but I think it's good."

While issues with the bill may be approaching an end, Altman's problems may not be over.

For instance, the House Democratic Caucus delayed calling for sanctions against him on Tuesday. On Saturday, the state Democratic Party called for Altman's resignation at the end of its convention.

Wilkins says he has had several conversations with Altman about those remarks, but neither will talk about what was said, including whether sanctions are being considered.

Harrison could remove Altman as a Judiciary subcommittee chairman or from the committee altogether.

Also Tuesday, protesters gathered across the street from Altman's Charleston home to push for a stronger criminal domestic violence law.

"Altman embodies the main problem in curbing domestic violence by blaming the victim," said Merrill Chapman, Charleston coordinator of the South Carolina Progressive Network.

Herald reporters Jason Cato

and Matt Garfield contributed

to this report.