US Senate Blocks Abortion Rights Protection Bill

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The US Senate on May 11 voted against advancing the Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill that would bolster abortion rights at a federal level, by 51 to 49.

All 50 Republican Senators and one Democrat, Sen Joe Manchin of West Virginia, voted against the Democratic-led bill, which aimed to codify the landmark Roe v Wade ruling of 1973 that extended abortion rights across the US.

The bill required 60 votes to bypass a GOP filibuster.

Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the vote. Credit: CSPAN via Storyful

Video Transcript

- Mr. Manchin? Mr. Manchin-- no.

KAMALA HARRIS: On this vote, the ayes are 49, the nays are 51. 3/5 of the senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, the motion is not agreed to.