Senate Democrats are focusing on abortion rights in their final days of session before the upcoming election. Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray is set to address the Senate floor to advocate for a resolution affirming the right to emergency health care, including abortion care, for all patients regardless of their location. This resolution, known as a 'sense of the Senate,' is a statement of the Senate's position on the issue rather than a new law. However, it is anticipated to be blocked by Senate Republicans.
Prior to Murray's address, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats will convene a news conference to discuss the resolution. Meanwhile, Republicans have criticized Schumer for not scheduling a vote on the annual national defense policy bill, which has already been approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee, as well as other appropriations bills.
Senator Susan Collins, a leading Republican appropriator, expressed disappointment in Schumer's approach, suggesting that bringing the appropriations bills to the floor would have expedited their passage into law or to the president's desk by now.
