WASHINGTON — Republicans on Monday prevented the Senate from passing sweeping abortion rights legislation as Democrats tried to notify lawmakers of the issue ahead of the midterm elections and an upcoming Supreme Court ruling on access to abortion.
Democrats fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed to consider the Women’s Health Protection Act after the House passed it last September with a narrow party line. A Democrat, Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, joined all Republicans in opposition to starting a debate on the measure.
Lawmakers said it was the first time the Senate had voted on a separate bill to enshrine the constitutional protections of Roe v. Wade into law. The outcome was expected, but Democrats were determined to hold the vote as members of both parties draw battle lines over what is expected to be a significant election year. The conservative-dominated Supreme Court will rule later this year in a case that could undermine or undo the historic abortion decision.
“We want Americans to know where their lawmakers stand on this important issue,” said Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the No. 3 Democrat and a leading proponent of the abortion law.
The measure would enshrine abortion rights in federal law long protected by the 1973 court ruling. It was pursued by Democrats and abortion rights groups as a way to counter the increasingly strict abortion restrictions being introduced at the state level, as well as the prospect of of a Supreme Court ruling enforcing strict new abortion limits in Mississippi and passing a law in Texas that has severely restricted abortion in that state.
“People are counting on the Senate to do what the Supreme Court won’t do,” said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights.
About two dozen states have prepared legislation that would immediately restrict abortion rights if the court upholds the Mississippi law, which bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, about two months earlier than Roe and later decisions allow.
During Supreme Court debates in December, conservative judges indicated their willingness to scale back, if not undo, federal abortion protections, leaving most of the regulation to individual states. Democrats say the move is necessary to ensure women across the country have equal access to abortion and to prevent states from imposing restrictions that are not medically necessary as a way to unconstitutionally restrict abortion.
New York Democrat and Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer decided to go ahead with a vote on the Democratic bill despite Republican opposition in the Senate, calling it a “dark, dark time” for abortion rights in the United States.
“Abortion has never been more dangerous in America,” he said.
Opponents of abortion rights say the proposed legislation, which President Biden said he would sign if it came to his desk, goes well beyond the scope of the Roe decision, allowing late-term abortions and eliminating state restrictions on abortion. that have great public support.
The state of abortion in the US
“The misnamed Women’s Health Protection Act is the most radical abortion law in United States history,” said Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life. “It would enshrine in federal abortion on demand law up to the time of birth, and it would overturn state laws — new and existing — that protect unborn children and their mothers.”
Kentucky Republican and minority leader Senator Mitch McConnell criticized Democrats for holding a “show vote” on the Senate floor when more pressing issues arose, such as the conflict in Ukraine. He predicted the maneuver would backfire on Democrats, noting that polls show most Americans are in favor of some restrictions on abortion, particularly late-term procedures.
“Once again, our colleagues want to demonstrate that the radical left fringe controls the current Democratic Party,” Mr McConnell said on the Senate floor before the vote. “I want to thank the Senate Majority Leader for making it clear where his party’s priorities lie.”
Both sides are bracing for abortion rights to be a major issue in November’s election, especially if a May or June Supreme Court decision is seen as wiping out Roe. While abortion has traditionally been seen as an issue that is a stronger motivator for conservatives, Democrats say a court decision to quash Roe and the spread of new abortion restrictions across the country could rally female voters and turn the issue in their favor. change.
The Democrats tried not to hide the fact that Monday’s vote was aimed at publicizing Republicans.
“Make no mistake,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Democrat and lead author of the legislation, “reproductive freedom will be on the agenda in November.”
