Senate Republicans block voting rights bill, with Schumer joining 'nays'

Senate Republicans blocked the voting rights legislation, likely triggering Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to move forward with changing Senate filibuster rules.

The motion to move forward with ending debate and taking a vote on the bill, Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, failed in the Senate by 51-49. Sen. Schumer joined Republicans "in order to enter a motion to reconsider the vote," according to the Senate Press Gallery.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) complained about the bill on Twitter. "Dems hv spent afternoon claiming 2 want to debate voting bill, claiming Rs don’t want to then they voted 4 motion 2 CUT OFF debate & amendments same day Senate took up bill w all amendments blocked by Sen Schumer," he tweeted shortly after the vote.