Senate Republicans block bill that would preserve the right to abortion

Senate Republicans on Monday blocked a House-passed bill aimed at preserving access to an abortion nationwide.

The legislation failed to advance in a 46-48 vote.

The bill, dubbed the Women’s Health Protection Act, aimed to “protect a person’s ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy, and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide abortion services.” The House had passed the legislation in a nearly party-line vote in late September – even though the bill was not expected to have the necessary votes to pass the 50-50 Senate, as legislation in the chamber requires Republicans to join Democrats to get at least