President Biden’s push to rewrite the nation’s voting laws went down to defeat on Wednesday at the hands of a GOP filibuster, leaving Democrats pledging to hold a doomed vote to change the 60-vote threshold.

In a 51-49 vote, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights failed to garner the 10 GOP votes necessary to pass. Vice President Kamala Harris was on hand to preside over the vote.

“I’m here tonight because this is a historic night,” said Mrs. Harris. “This is about the fundamental freedom to vote and what should be unfettered access to the ballot … whatever happens tonight because of the outcome of this vote, the President and I are not going to give up on this issue.”

Shortly before the debate closed, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer changed his vote to oppose the legislation. Mr. Schumer, New York Democrat, did so to bring forward a proposal to remake the filibuster. 

The change being pushed by Mr. Schumer would require lawmakers to mount an old-fashioned “talking filibuster” to hold up the legislative process. Under the proposal, the legislation would be eligible to pass with a simple majority vote once the speechmaking was exhausted.