The Women’s Health Protection Act failed to advance in the Senate Monday night, in a 46-48 vote with one Democratic Senator joining all Republicans. Guess who?
The legislation was the last best hope to see a law enacted that would ensure abortion remains legal in all 50 states.
If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, it would trigger laws in 26 states and allow legislators in others to curtail or outlaw abortion.
The bill, which progressive lawmakers have pushed since 2013, would have gone further than codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law by barring states from enacting restrictions on abortion both later and earlier in pregnancy. The House narrowly passed the legislation last fall, but unanimous opposition from Republicans as well as opposition from Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in the Senate led to it coming up short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), one of the few Republicans who has voiced support for abortion rights, also voted to stop the measure from moving forward, telling reporters the bill would have “very troubling” implications for religious freedom.
Six Senators did not vote: see here.
Feinstein (D-CA)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lujan (D-NM)
Paul (R-KY)
Warnock (D-GA)