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Senate Dems vow to vote on federal abortion rights bill but likely lack votes to get it passed

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Democrats are vowing to soon vote on a bill to make access to abortion a federal law following the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that points to the high court overturning Roe v. Wade.

“This is as urgent and real as it gets,” said Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). “We will vote to protect a woman’s right to choose and every American is going to see which side every Senator stands.”

The leaked draft opinion sparked fury from Senate Democrats.

“Angry and upset and determined,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-M.A.). “The United States Congress can keep Roe v. Wade — the law of the land.”

“I’m not going to stop fighting to get to President Biden a bill to protect the right to abortion,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-W.A.).

President Joe Biden has also called on Congress to act.

“The President’s position is that we need to codify Roe, and that is what he has long called on Congress to act on,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

But despite the push from top Democrats, it seems unlikely they will have the votes needed to get it passed.

Senate Democrats would need all Democrats and at least 10 Republicans to get on board under the current rules.

Only two Republican senators have publicly said they support access to abortion: Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-A.K.) and Susan Collins (R-M.E.).

Another option is if Democrats vote to change the filibuster rule so they can pass an abortion rights bill with a simple majority, but that also seems unlikely, because Democrats don’t have enough support for that measure within their own party.

Meantime, Senate Republicans have been focusing more on the breach of the confidentiality from the leak rather than the impact of the decision.

“Whoever committed this lawless act knew exactly what it could bring about,” said Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-K.Y.).

“Whoever did this leak should be prosecuted and should go to jail for a very long time,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-T.X.). “This has shaken the independence and the ability of the judiciary to function.”