Senate Blocks Bill to Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks of Pregnancy

In what was a largely party-line vote Monday, the Senate blocked a motion to limit initial debate on a bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the mother’s life. The U.S. is one of seven nations that allow elective abortions after 20 weeks — along with Canada, China, North Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Vietnam.

The procedural motion required the support of 60 senators to pass, but failed on a 51-46 vote with Sens. Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Bob Casey (D-PA) crossing party lines to support the proposal. The only Republican senators to oppose the bill were Sens. Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK).

The House passed a companion bill on a 237-189 vote in October 2017.

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— Eric Revell

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