The opposition of every Democrat in the U.S Senate on Wednesday was sufficient to block legislation to require lifesaving health care for infants who are born after a failed abortion.

The “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” would have guaranteed equal protection under the law for “any infant born alive after an abortion.”

The proposed legislation would have required all health care practitioners present during such a birth to “exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a … health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.”

Although a majority of senators voted to advance the legislation, the bill failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome the filibuster.

The vote was 52-47 in favour with every voting Republican supporting the bill and every Democrat in opposition. One Republican was not available for the vote.