Minutes after Monday's Senate vote blocking the GOP bill, abortion-rights groups were releasing TV ads attacking Republican supporters of the measure for stomping on women's health care needs.
Conservatives were accusing Democrats of voting to protect taxpayer funds for an organization whose campaign contributions tilt lopsidedly to Democratic candidates.
And each party was bracing for the fight to be revisited when Congress returns next month from its recess.
The Senate voted 53-46 to halt Democratic delaying tactics aimed at killing the GOP bill. That was seven short of the 60 votes needed to keep the measure moving toward passage.