Federal Abortion Rights Bill Blocked, Will Not Move Forward in the Senate

WASHINGTON — A Democratic abortion bill is hitting a wall in the Senate. It failed to hit a 60 vote threshold needed to move forward in a Senate procedural tally. The vote was 49-51.
The measure aimed to lock in federal protections for abortion rights. Democrats put the bill together quickly after the release of a draft Supreme Court opinion signaling an end to abortion rights in the U.S. Those voting no included moderate West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin. He said the bill went too far.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the draft opinion a “shameful backslide.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Democrats aim to lock in “abortion on demand,” right up to the moment of birth. Schumer knew the vote would fail but aimed to get all opponents “on record.”