The constraints Democrats face in a 50-50 Senate are shown in the failed vote. There is no chance that the Congress will pass abortion rights legislation this year because of opposition from Manchin and Sinema. Democrats don't have a simple majority that would vote to protect abortion rights even if they could.
The Democratic bill was opposed by both Collins and Murkowski. The legislation is too broad and they are pushing a narrower alternative that would codify the decisions the Supreme Court is expected to overturn.
Manchin, who doesn't support abortion, said he would vote against the measure.
Democrats are trying to make people believe that this is the same thing as codifying abortion. He argued that the bill ban on some state restrictions on the procedure is not the same. It expands abortion.
The underlying bill was supported by Sen. Bob Casey, who has previously supported abortion restrictions. The Senate took up the legislation in February and he voted to move forward with it.
Advocates on both sides of the abortion debate assumed that the Supreme Court would overturn or at least restrict the abortion law known as "Rie" ever since the court took up Mississippi's challenge to it last year. Schumer argued Wednesday that the release of the court's draft opinion makes it harder for lawmakers to act.
Democrats concede their options to protect abortion rights are limited. Wednesday's vote is seen as a way to get votes for the elections.
Senate Republicans unanimously opposed the Democratic bill because it would allow abortions later in pregnancies.
Senate Minority LeaderMitch McConnell said Wednesday that Democrats could not have written more extreme legislation. The Senate will vote today.
The Democratic legislation would go beyond codifying the rights of women. It would prohibit states from imposing many kinds of abortion restrictions, including those that are deemed medically unnecessary, like mandatory waiting periods and regulations on clinics. Moderate members of the caucus were concerned about the language in the latest version of the bill, which removed nonbinding language about gender identity and the effects of abortion restrictions. Legislation was passed by the House last fall.
Collins and Murkowski's legislation would allow for state limits on the procedure to continue, but Democrats think it's insufficient. They are not planning to bring it up for a vote.
A Senate Democratic aide told reporters on a Monday night call that they are focused on solutions that meet the moment.
The aide argued that the country would be left to the same chaos if the Collins-Murkowski bill was passed.
The Democratic legislation is seen by Collins and Murkowski as too broad. Collins expressed concerns about the impact on hospitals and medical workers with religious affiliations.
With the defeat of the Democratic bill, two senators are talking to Collins about a possible bipartisan path forward.
She wants to codify a national standard that codifies the rights of abortionists. We are having good discussions but nothing is going to happen in the next couple of days.
If anyone wants to talk, Manchin is happy to do so.
Both sides of the abortion fight are promising to make their opponents pay for their vote on the Democratic bill.
The Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion activist group, was lobbying senators on both sides of the aisle to oppose the bill, and plan to run ads against any vulnerable Democrats who cast their vote for the legislation.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of SBA List, told reporters on a Tuesday call that they are focused on Democratic incumbents who are close to a battleground state. We spent a million dollars attacking him in Arizona because of his abortion decision.
Democrats are confident that the vote will help mobilize their base.
The final opinion that is likely to come will ignite a lot of electoral energy, because it has already been leaked. Blumenthal told reporters that it would be a major motivating factor.
This report was contributed to by a person.
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