Abortion-Rights Bill Backed by Democrats Fails in Senate

Senate Democrats failed to advance a bill seeking to ensure women’s access to abortion, in a vote designed to draw a clear contrast with Republicans ahead of a potential Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade looming just months before the midterm elections.

The vote was 49 in favor to 51 against, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance the Women’s Health Protection Act.

Democrats held the vote despite knowing it was certain to fail in the 50-50 Senate, where abortion stances split almost entirely along party lines. No Republicans...