WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats on Wednesday failed to advance a bill to establish a federal right to abortion, but they still hoped the effort would draw a sharp political contrast with Republicans who largely support the Supreme Court’s expected ruling to undo the Roe v. Wade decision.
Democrats knew their effort would fail. The vote was 49-51, with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., joining all Republicans in opposition. The procedural measure needed 60 votes to overcome the filibuster threshold.
But Democrats said they wanted to send a political message to voters, particularly in states with Senate races this November that could determine party control of the chamber, such as Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin.
