The Senate reconciliation bill "Vote-a-Rama" is underway, and the Republicans are making the most of it.  Democrats are trying to keep the Republicans from changing any language in the House bill, to keep the House from having to cast a third vote on health care reform (more on that later).  Because Republicans are allowed unlimited Amendments without any debate (and hence, no filibuster) at the end of the reconciliation process, Republicans are offering all manner of amendments that would normally receive near-unanimous support, and Democrats are being forced to defeat them.

Among other amendments that Democrats are being forced to table:

McCain's amendment to eliminate "sweetheart" deals for Tennessee, Montana, Connecticut, and other states.

Barasso's amendment to ensure that Americans can keep the coverage they currently have.

Coburn's amendment to ensure that federally funded prescription drugs do not cover prescriptions of viagra to child molesters and rapists, or abortifacients.

Roberts's amendment to strike the tax on medical devices.

Inhofe's amendment to exclude pediatric devices from the tax on medical devices.

Risch's amendment to repeal the limitation on itemized medical expense deductions.

Vitter's amendment to increase women's access to breast cancer screenings.

These are obviously tough votes for Democrats to cast, but they are necessary ones.  In addition to changing the language of the bill, many of these risk making the bill unable to reduce the deficit, which would cause it to sunset after five years.  Regardless, expect many of these votes to be made into campaign commercials in the next few cycles.

Republicans have nevertheless forced the bill back to the House for a second vote.  Republicans managed to strike two portions of the student loan reform as not related to deficit reduction.  Because the Senate bill will now be different than the House bill, the House will have to vote on the Senate bill before it can be sent to the President.

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