NC Renegades

Tillis’s decision puts Democrats on the brink of being able to block Trump’s emergency declaration in the Senate. If the resolution of disapproval passes the Senate it will go to the president’s desk, where he has said he will use his first veto.

If all 47 Democrats for the resolution they would need to flip four Republican senators in order for the resolution to pass the Senate. The vote needs a simple majority.

GOP Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are both viewed as likely yes votes, which would make Tillis the third Republican defector. Both Tillis and Collins are up for reelection in 2020 and viewed as targets as Democrats look for ways to pick up seats. 

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Born-Alive Abortion Survivors bill fails to beat Senate filibuster

Washington D.C., Feb 25, 2019 / 04:40 pm (CNA).- The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act has failed to achieve the 60 votes necessary to invoke cloture and bring the legislation forward. The Senate voted of 53 to 44 to invoke cloture on Monday, but fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to halt a filibuster by Democratic senators.

The vote was almost entirely on party lines.

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE), the legislation’s lead sponsor, submitted the bill in early February using the Rule 14 process, which means the bill was brought directly to the Senate floor. After an initial attempt to pass the bill via unanimous voice vote was foiled by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) on Feb. 4, the process shifted to a roll-call vote.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate Monday, Sasse urged members from both parties to consider how little the legislation actually aimed to ensure.

“I urge my colleagues to picture a baby that’s already been born, that’s outside the womb gasping for air. That’s the only thing that today’s vote is actually about. We’re talking about babies that have already been born. Nothing in this bill touches abortion access,” Sasse said.

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would have penalized doctors or other medical professionals who do not provide medical care to infants who are born alive following a botched abortion attempt. The bill does not restrict abortion rights.

Several Democratic senators spoke against the bill saying it would force doctors to provide care against the “reproductive rights” and “choices” of women.

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