Senate begins marathon "vote-a-rama" on GOP budget plan
CBSN
Washington — Senate Republicans are forging ahead with a narrower budget proposal focused on defense, border security and energy priorities, despite President Trump's decision on Wednesday to endorse a competing plan put forward by House Republicans.
The Senate began what's known as a "vote-a-rama" on the GOP budget blueprint Thursday evening, in which senators can offer an unlimited number of amendments and force the chamber to cast vote after vote through the night. After the Senate exhausts all amendment votes, it will take a final vote on the budget resolution, which directs the committees to submit their proposed spending plans by March 7.
With a three-seat majority, Senate Republicans should ultimately have the votes to adopt the budget resolution, but the vote-a-rama gives Democrats the opportunity to force their GOP colleagues to go on the record on a host of politically dicey subjects. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said Wednesday that Republicans "better get ready for a late night and a long morning."
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