Democrats to Force Senate Vote on Abortion

By: Konrad Holden

In Brief: 
On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that he plans to force a vote in the Senate that would federalize abortion rights if the Supreme Court decides to overturn Roe v. Wade. Schumer promised to file a motion for cloture on Monday. This would set up a vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act. Schumer blamed Republicans for campaigning against Roe v. Wade for 50 years and accused them of taking away women’s rights.

The Background: 
Surrounded by three fellow Democrat Senators Blumenthal, Gillibrand, and Stabenow, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made a promise. He promised to force a vote on the so-called Women’s Health Protection Act. 

“Next week, the U.S. Senate is going to vote on legislation to codify a woman’s right to seek an abortion into federal law. I intend to file cloture on this vital legislation Monday, which would set up a vote for Wednesday,” he said.

Schumer indicated that he thinks Republicans are fearful of voting against this bill even though they have campaigned against Roe v. Wade for 50 years. “And now, with the Republican court on the verge of tearing down five decades of precedent, Republicans suddenly don’t want to talk about their complicity in this effort. You ask them about, do they support repealing Roe v. Wade, they change the subject. What does that say?” he argued.

The Senate is split 50-50. There are 48 Democrats and 50 Republicans, and two Independents that caucus with the Democrats.

For the bill to not pass when they force a vote, Republicans will have to convince at least one Democrat or Independent Senator to defect and vote against the bill.

Notable Quotes: 

“Next week’s vote will be one of the most important we take. Not only this session, but in this century. This is not an abstract exercise. It’s as real, it’s as urgent as it gets.” - Sen. Chuck Schumer