Senate Democrats stuck together and mostly voted against amendments to their tax, climate and health care package, while using a procedural maneuver to allow their vulnerable incumbents to vote for some that could score political points without actually making any changes to the bill.
The chamber began voting on amendments to the budget reconciliation package in a free-for-all process known as a “vote-a-rama” around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. More than 15 hours later, after voting on 37 amendments and dilatory motions, the Senate concluded the “vote-a-rama” and proceeded to final passage.
Only the final two amendments offered were adopted — one from Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and one from Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., to replace part of Thune’s proposal.
