Joe Manchin, the Democratic senator known for often taking the road less traveled when it comes to voting with his party, again joined Senate Republicans on Monday to oppose legislation codifying the right to an abortion.
Senators voted 46 to 48 to move a bill toward a debate on the Senate floor, just short of the three-fifths vote needed, The Hill reports.
The bill, which passed the House last year, codifies the right to an abortion and pushes back against state-level restrictions.
Manchin and Sen. Bob Casey, also a Democrat, weren’t formal co-sponsors of the bill, but Casey previously signaled he would vote to start debate on it.