Thursday: Vote-a-rama, ‘doc fix’

Senators will vote on numerous amendments to the Republican budget during vote-a-rama Thursday. 

The marathon voting session is expected to start at noon. With senators able to offer and require a vote on an unlimited number of amendments, the vote-a-rama could last into Friday. 

{mosads}The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. for leader remarks, before moving to debate on the budget. Debate time is expected to run out around noon, when senators will start voting on amendments. 

Meanwhile, in the House, lawmakers will take up a $200 billion Medicare bill, known as the “doc fix” deal. The legislation is expected to easily pass the House, where it has been championed by Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). 

That means senators will have to pass the House legislation on Friday if they hope to avert the latest round of doctor payment cuts. The current deadline occurs during Congress’s two-week recess.

The House convenes at 9 a.m. for legislative business. First votes are expected between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., with last votes between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.