Democrats Poised for Double Defeat on Voting Rights and Filibuster

Senate Democrats appear poised for two major defeats on Wednesday as they attempt to pass landmark voting rights legislation and potentially change the filibuster.

Republicans in the chamber are opposed to passing two bills approved by the House of Representatives—the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act—and it seems likely Democrats will fall short of the 50 votes needed to change the rules and carve out an exception to the filibuster.

The two bills have been brought before the Senate as consolidated legislation but 60 votes are needed in order to...