The Senate on Wednesday rejected an effort to limit debate on legislation that would broadly expand abortion rights, a procedural move that means the chamber won’t vote on the bill itself.
The 49-51 vote on a cloture motion comes after a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion suggests the court will reverse long-standing precedent for the right to an abortion. The Senate needs 60 votes to adopt a cloture motion.
The decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a challenge to a Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks pregnancy, is expected in June. But the leak has prompted a flurry of action by Democrats in an effort to protect abortion rights.
