Virginia's Democratic-led Senate on Tuesday passed constitutional amendments on abortion and voting rights that were quickly lambasted by Republicans who could use the issues as the party tries to regain ground in November's statewide elections.

The votes followed an emotional floor debate on abortion — and an unusual parliamentary tussle over whether the Democratic leader had violated the chamber’s decorum,

The state Senate also backed proposed amendments to repeal the ban on same-sex marriage in the state constitution and to automatically restore voting rights to felons who served their terms.

The Democratic-led Virginia Senate has voted to enshrine the right to an abortion and to vote in the state's constitution.