The Republican caucus in the United States Senate on Wednesday blocked a bill seeking to protect the right to abortion in the country, promoted by their Democratic counterparts.
The short, two-sentence bill stated that “protections for right to abortion (…) must be protected” in the United States.
All 49 Republican senators voted against the bill, failing to meet the 60-vote threshold needed for it to be debated, US media reported.
The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
This proposal is part of a series of attempts by the Democratic Party, which controls the Senate but not the House of Representativesto pass legislation that helps or contributes to access to abortion is protected since the Supreme Court revoked its protection two years ago.
In June 2022, the conservative-majority U.S. high court eliminated federal abortion protection by striking down the Roe v. Wade rulingSince then, dozens of states have launched a frontal attack on women’s rights by implementing restrictive anti-abortion laws.
How are abortion restrictions going in the United States?
In the United States, the Abortion is now prohibited at all stages of pregnancywith limited exceptions, in 14 states controlled by Republicans. In three other states, it is banned after the first six weeks, which is before women even know they are pregnant.
Most Democratic-led states have taken steps to protect women’s right to abortion and have become “sanctuary states” for the country’s patients seeking safe medical care.
While this has become a logistical and financial ordeal for women and adolescents who need to access abortion procedures, none of this has reduced the total number of services performed each month throughout the United States.
In 2024, the States with a total ban on abortion at any stage of pregnancy They are: Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. In North Carolina, the restriction is up to 12 weeks, as in South Carolina and Georgia.
With information from AP.
