Republicans and Joe Manchin block Senate bill to secure abortion rights

Democrats knew it would not pass but wanted the votes recorded nonetheless

A bill to enshrine the right to abortion in federal law was blocked by Senate Republicans on Monday. Although Democrats expected the bill to fail, they brought the measure forward at a perilous moment for abortion rights, to ensure votes were recorded.

The supreme court is expected in June to decide a Mississippi case which could severely curtail or gut abortion rights nationally.