Senate Democrats on Wednesday forced two votes they knew they'd lose on their election bills and the filibuster – breaking a rule often followed by legislators, especially House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to never call a vote you don't know you'll win. 

The votes mark yet another political loss for President Biden and Democrats. They highlighted the internal divisions among Democrats over the filibuster. And they forced vulnerable Democrats up for reelection to cast a vote Republicans are already attacking them for.

But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his colleagues say they have no regrets over the effort, which they say was not only the right thing to do, but could also help them in the midterms. 

"We lost the vote. But to have not voted would have been a far greater loss," Schumer said Thursday. "We know history is on the side of voting rights, and we know that forcing leaders to take stands will ultimately move the ball forward."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., responds to questions from reporters during a press conference regarding the Democratic party's shift to focus on voting rights at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)