Measure fell 10 votes short.
Minority members of the Senate joined by Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia blocked legislation Wednesday intended to codify abortion protections into law ahead of the possible ruling this summer by a majority Supreme Court striking down the Roe v. Wade 1973 decision. The bill was ten votes short of being advanced. It needed 60 votes to move forward.
The outcome, which was expected, may stoke emotions after a leaked draft decision last week showed the Supreme Court is preparing to take the historic step of overturning its landmark decision on abortion rights made five decades ago.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said, “Today’s vote is one of the most consequential we will take in decades, because for the first time in 50 years a conservative majority—an extreme majority—on the Supreme Court is on the brink of declaring that women do not have freedom over their own bodies.“
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said, “Our Democratic colleagues want to vote for abortion on demand, through all nine months, until the moment before a baby is born. A failed show vote that will only prove their own extremism.”
If the Court’s decision, when it is released next month, returns decisions on abortions to the states, legislators who are closer to the people will make or reinforce laws on the local rather than at the federal level.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- With gratitude to God for the failure of the measure that would have codified abortion as U.S. law.
- For the justices of the Supreme Court as they continue deliberations in the Mississippi abortion case.
- For the safety and security of the Supreme Court justices.
Sources: The Hill, Politico
