The effort by Senate Democrats to change filibuster rules came after Republicans once again blocked a voting rights bill put forward by Democrats in the latest partisan showdown over the issue.

Earlier Wednesday evening, the Senate failed to break a GOP filibuster on voting legislation that combines key provisions of two bills: the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

As a result, the push to change Senate rules sets up a major showdown among Democrats as the party gears up to put two of its own members on the spot in an effort that appears doomed to fail.

Democrats, who control only 50 seats in the Senate, are under enormous pressure from liberal activists to take action on voting rights and President Joe Biden has trained his focus on the issue as other elements of his domestic agenda remained stalled.

Biden vowed to keep fighting during a recent visit to Capitol Hill but conceded that he doesn't know if Democrats will be able to pass legislation they are pushing for.

"The honest to God answer is I don't know whether we can get this done," Biden said.

It's my hope that courage awakens within the heart of our Republican colleagues before the day is out," he said, adding that if the Senate cannot protect the right to vote "then the Senate rules must be reformed."

"Our proposal for a talking filibuster on these pieces of legislation would be the first step towards passing voting rights, restoring this body and breaking the gridlock that we now face on this vital issue," Schumer said.

Manchin warns against partisan division

In a speech before the votes Wednesday evening, Manchin warned against partisan division and argued that lawmakers must seek compromise even if it is challenging to do so.