Senate fails to change filibuster rules after GOP blocks voting rights bill

Moderate Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema reiterated in a statement why she opposed the Senate rules change that would eliminate the filibuster.

"I also maintained my longstanding opposition to separate actions that would deepen our divisions and risk repeated radical reversals in federal policy, cementing uncertainty and further eroding confidence in our government," Sinema said in a statement after Senate Democrats failed in their effort to use the “nuclear option” to change filibuster rules.

The Arizona senator along with Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, were the only Democrats to vote the rules change.

Senate Democrats failed in their effort to use the “nuclear option” to change filibuster rules to allow for a “talking filibuster” on the voting legislation that Republicans blocked earlier this evening. 

The vote was 52-48 with moderate Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema voting with Republicans. After the vote failed, there was a loud round of applause from Republicans. 

The proposed rules change would force lawmakers who want to filibuster the bill to come to the Senate floor and speak in opposition.

Once those speeches come to an end, the Senate would be able to hold a simple majority vote for final passage. The move would effectively eliminate the 60-vote threshold set by the filibuster.

It had been expected to fail due to opposition from Manchin and Sinema.

The Senate is now holding a vote to attempt to change filibuster rules to allow for a “talking filibuster” on the voting legislation that Republicans just blocked. 

The proposed rules change would force lawmakers who want to filibuster the bill to come to the Senate floor and speak in opposition. Once those speeches come to an end, the Senate would be able to hold a simple majority vote for final passage. The move would effectively eliminate the 60-vote threshold set by the filibuster.  

The vote is expected to fail due to opposition from moderate Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema.

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke after Republicans blocked Democrats’ voting legislation, calling it a "historic night."

"This is about the fundamental freedom to vote and what should unfettered access to the ballot. I am here to make a strong statement that this is, whatever happens tonight from the outcome of this vote, the President and I are not going to give up on this issue. This is fundamental to our democracy and it's non-negotiable."

Senate Republicans blocked Democrats' attempt to pass a bill on voting rights legislation.

The legislation combined key provisions of two bills: the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. 

At least 10 Republicans needed to vote with Democrats to clear the 60-vote threshold to break a filibuster, which did not happen amid widespread Republican opposition.

Next lawmakers will vote to change filibuster rules, which is expected to fail.

The Senate is voting now to attempt to break a GOP filibuster of voting legislation that combines key provisions of two bills: the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. 

Senate Republicans are expected to block it. At least 10 Republicans would need to vote with Democrats to clear the 60-vote threshold to break a filibuster, which will not happen amid widespread Republican opposition to the voting legislation.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that if Republicans block the bill, he will hold a vote to change Senate rules to allow for a "talking filibuster" on the voting legislation and lower the threshold to break the filibuster from 60 votes to 51 votes.

That vote, which is expected to fail due to opposition from Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, is expected sometime later this evening, but has not yet been scheduled.

Vice President Kamala Harris has arrived on Capitol Hill to preside over tonight’s debate on the Freedom to Vote Act.

As she entered the Capitol, Harris was asked if the elections would be illegitimate if the voting bills didn’t pass.

“Let’s get these bills passed before we have that conversation," Harris told CNN.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune warned that it is likely a vote on voting rights legislation will slip into the 7 p.m. ET hour given the number of speeches and the fact that senators are going over their allotted speaking time. 

He predicted somewhere in the neighborhood of 7:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET.  

The vote is now expected around 7:45 p.m. ET per the Senate media gallery.

A vote on the rules change would happen after that. 

The latest guidance from CNN's Hill team is in 11 p.m. ET hour. 

Sen. Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah who has voted against his own leadership during momentous votes, told CNN that he has been surprised by Democratic members’ attacks of their own members as the filibuster fight has intensified. 

He said Sen. Joe Manchin is the “only” Democrat who could even get elected in West Virginia. 

Other Republicans also applauded Manchin’s speech in which he defended the filibuster. 

“You don’t see too many displays of true political courage around here, but I think both of them demonstrated with their speeches in the last few days that they get what is at stake and they are willing to put their political viability and futures on the line for it,” Sen. John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, said. 

Some context: Manchin warned against partisan division in a speech earlier Wednesday evening as Democrats press ahead to an expected vote to change Senate filibuster rules in an attempt to pass voting legislation.

The West Virginia Democrat has repeatedly said he will not vote to weaken or eliminate the filibuster, which sets a 60-vote threshold to pass most legislation, creating an obstacle for his party as Senate Democrats push for a rules change.

CNN's Clare Foran, Ali Zaslav and Ted Barrett contributed reporting to this post.